Sayings of Socrates 55

Justus of Tiberias, in his book entitled The Wreath, says that in the course of the trial Plato mounted the platform and began: "Though I am the youngest, men of Athens, of all who ever rose to address you"—whereupon the judges shouted out, "Get down! Get down!"

When therefore he was condemned by 281 votes more than those given for acquittal, and when the judges were assessing what he should suffer or what fine he should pay, he proposed to pay 25 drachmae. Eubulides indeed says he offered 100.

When this caused an uproar among the judges, he said, "Considering my services, I assess the penalty at maintenance in the Prytaneum at the public expense."

—Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers 2.41-42