Socrates

Socrates (also Sokrates b. circa 470 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher who is widely credited for laying the foundation for Western philosophy, and is held as its most influential practitioner. He was also a soldier of some skill.

Socrates in "The Daimon"
In 413 BC, Sokrates concluded that his daimon was telling him to join Alkibiades' expedition to Sicily during the Peloponnesian War. Although his followers tried to disuade him, he nonetheless heeded his daimon and joined.

On the eve of the Athenian attack on Syracuse, representatives from Athens arrived to demand Alikibiades return to the polis. Alikibiades wavered, and even contemplated fleeing to Athens' enemy Sparta. However, after talking to Sokrates, Alikibiades instead attacked Syracuse. After a bloody battle which nearly cost Sokrates his life, Syracuse fell. Sokrates and the army then invaded and destroyed Sparta itself.

When Alikibiades' army returned to Athens, they were ordered to surrender their arms before entering the city. Sokrates saw no value in fighting his fellow Athenians, and so happily surrendered his arms. The other soliders, fiercely loyal to Alikibiades, followed his lead, taking the city late one night.

Sokrates was dismayed by Alikibiades' seizure of power. However, it was not until two of his own students, Kritias and Aristokles, were killed that Sokrates decided to publically decry Alikibiades as a tyrant. Alikibiades ordered Sokrates arrested and brought before him that very night. Alikibiades demanded Sokrates drink hemlock. Sokrates refused, and attacked Alikibiades. Alikibiades' guards attacked and beat Sokrates to death.