There are several different Socratic testimonies that have survived from primary sources, two of which are Aristophanes, and Xenophon. Both of these sources paint a very different picture of who Socrates was, and what he was like.

Xenophon was a friend, disciple, and admirer of Socrates, so much of his testimony reflects these facts; beyond that he was a very simple minded person so he may not have grasped many of the concepts Socrates presented. Xenophon described Socrates as a virtuous and moral citizen that preached morality in everyday life, he believed him to be a very religious man. He also described Socrates as an advocate for self control, respecter for law, and a very good parent, and friend. Many believe that although his testimonies are truthful, they are very limited in their philosophical nature, as Xenophon was not a philosopher; he was very simple in his thoughts, and actions. He was in the military, and performed well in that sense, since he was very compliant.

Another major source of information about Socrates is Aristophanes, primarily from his comedies. Aristophanes was a comic play writer, and his depiction of Socrates was very different than what many others would describe of him, he seemed to mold Socrates to the needs of his play, rather than using the true Socrates. Socrates is one of the main characters in his play Clouds, and in this play he was depicted as a sophist who charged to teach. He was also shown as someone that did not believe in the God’s, and one who corrupts the youth of Athens. All of these allegations seem to be false as stated by Socrates in the Plato’s recollection of him. His play showed Socrates teaching a young man that the weather was not controlled by the gods, but was controlled by a chorus of clouds. Consequently the boy’s father burned down Socrates school, this act seemed to symbolize the death of Socrates, without the physical death, as that would make it a tragedy. This play seemed to be a major factor in the trial of Socrates, which ended in death. The way that Socrates proved the boy to be ignorant about the clouds, was taking place with many other people throughout Athens in different fashions, and it seemed the only way to stop this battle between light, and darkness would be to kill the light, or get rid of it. Socrates being the light of course and people seem to prefer to be in the dark, as it is usually more comfortable there. Fortunately Socrates is still alive and well, thousands of years later.