The Trial of Socrates: A Philosopher's Last Stand in Athens (399 BC) This historical painting depicts one of the most famous and controversial trials in history. In 399 BC, the seventy-year-old philosopher Socrates was brought before an Athenian court, accused of "corrupting the youth" and "impiety"—that is, not believing in the gods of the city and introducing new deities. The image shows Socrates, the central figure in white robes, speaking in his own defense to a jury of 500 Athenian citizens