When the democratic government of Athens sentenced him to death, Socrates stated in his last speech that death is not a problem for him, committing a crime is a problem for him, and he always tried to avoid it. In general, like all normal people, the philosopher tried to stay away from politics. But once in a while he had to participate, and it did not lead to anything good.
In 406 BC, Athens won a victory in one of the sea battles, but on the way back, a storm broke out and hundreds of sailors could not be saved. Six of the 8 generals returned home, and the people of Athens decided to execute those 6 at once without delving into individual circumstances. But there was a certain procedure; the decision had to be approved by the Prytaneis, conventionally speaking, the executives of the courts, who were chosen from the number of respected citizens, and Socrates was among them.
The Prytaneis expressed doubts that such a quick and, so to speak, “snapshot” judgment might be illegal. Knowing about these suspicions, the proud citizens of Athens revolted and threatened that if the Prytaneis did not fulfill the will of the people, they too would be sentenced to death. Everyone was afraid and confirmed the illegal decision. All except Socrates, who said he would be guided by the law anyway.
Yes, democracy is a cruel thing, and nothing much has changed in 25 centuries, neither in terms of people’s legal awareness nor in terms of courts. “The people judge” in modern Armenia as well.
And those judges who are guided not by the will of the people, but by evidence and laws, they are naturally “anti-popular elements.” But the people demand quick judgment not automatically. The people’s tribune points to the “enemies,” which, in the case of our country, performs some of the duties of the head of the state.
And since it is so, the tribune can remove and appoint the chief of the general staff and his deputies, can give general’s epaulettes, award the title of hero, can also tear off the epaulettes and order to initiate criminal cases against the generals. But that supreme leader does not bear any responsibility for their actions. We won the war – it is the result of the incomparable military talent of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, we lost – the generals are to blame.
That’s probably how democracy works.
Aram Abrahamyan
