In Socrates and Athens, Meg parker attempts to show us the true Socrates beneath the myth that has grown around him since his death. After a short biographical introduction, she discusses such matters as the role of sophists and Socrates' sense of divine mission; life and government in Athens, and on Socrates and his friends. She examines Socrates' trial and imprisonment and attitudes to death using quotation from original sources as much as possible to tell the story. Finally she considers Socrates' influence on his Athenian contemporaries and successors.

Meg Parker was formerly Head of Classical Studies at Sydenham School, London, and a Principal Lecturer at the College of St. Mark & St. John, Plymouth, UK.