The ancient Greek philosophers sentenced to death for their beliefs and practices include Socrates. In 399 BCE, Socrates was condemned for impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens. His trial and subsequent execution exemplified the tensions between the state and intellectual dissent, raising profound questions about morality, ethics, and governance. The philosopher refused to escape and chose to accept his death sentence, believing in the importance of upholding the law. His teachings and methods, particularly the Socratic method of questioning, have had a lasting influence on Western philosophy and education.