Critias was an Athenian politician, poet, and playwright. He was also one of Socrates' students. He is best known as the most ruthless of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens.

What is Critias famous for?

Critias is famous for his brutality and cruelty as one of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens but also as an unapologetic atheist at a time when atheism was a capital offense. He is frequently referenced in connection with Socrates who may have encouraged him to question religious tradition.

Was Critias corrupted by Socrates' teachings?

It is thought that Socrates' accusers used Critias as an example of how Socrates corrupted the youth of Athens but this accusation does not appear in either Plato's Apology nor Xenophon's Defense of Socrates, the two extant accounts of Socrates' trial.

Critias was killed in battle in 403 BCE when he and the other Thirty Tyrants of Athens were overthrown.

Critias

Definition

Critias (l. c. 460-403 BCE) was an Athenian politician, poet, and playwright, one of Socrates' followers, Plato's second cousin, a leading member of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens, and leader of the oligarchy they established. He is referenced by other writers as a gifted poet and philosopher but is best known for his ruthlessness as an oligarch of Athens.

More about: Critias

Timeline

c. 460 BCE - 403 BCE
Life of Critias, one of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens.
c. 424 BCE - 423 BCE
Plato is born at Athens, Greece.
404 BCE
End of the Peloponnesian war, Athens defeated By Sparta at Aigospotamoi, Rule of the Thirty Tyrants in Athens.
403 BCE
Restoration of the democracy in Athens, death of the tyrant Critias.

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