Marathon reversed

[PyrrhusofEpirus]

Agreed !
Socrates could easily escaped his death , but he choose to get killed by his beloved Athens .

This is what we know from Plato's scripts. I'm pretty sure that Plato, as a student of Socrates, prettified his teacher execution, as a result of his high moral principles. See Plato's ideal society.

As for the thread's subject, I have to say that history isn't a straight line. If the Greek cities-states had fell under the persian rule, the history would follow, more or less, a different path.
Greek philosophy, reasoning and rational thinking was based on freedom, democracy and the prosperity of the cities states. Ancient greeks were traders, they have settled all over the Mediterranean Sea, and keep trading relationships with most of the ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Trade led to ideas exchanging and in combination with the weak royal or oligarchic authorities of the tiny states, gave birth to democracy. Democracy provided the philosophy and vice versa. The democratic states, managed to kept their freedom from persians and this led the states to prosper. Democracy, freedom and prosperity attracted all ancient great minds, who were able to study and exchange ideas. If this line -democracy, freedom and prosperity-
was broke, it would definitely led history on another path.
PS
See also the medieval Italian cities-states, Milan, Genoa, Venice, Siena, and Florence the medieval Athens. These state were democracies, and managed to keep their independence for centuries. They attracted all medieval great minds, gave rebirth to philosophy and reasoning, which finally led to Renaissance.

[conon394]

PyrrhusofEpirus

How exactly would you say he 'prettified" the execution?

[PyrrhusofEpirus]

PyrrhusofEpirus

How exactly would you say he 'prettified" the execution?

Actually I want to say that Plato, as a student of Socrates, prettified his teacher actions and speakings, during his trial and the time which Socrates waited to be executed. See Socrates apology. I find it too dramatic.

[conon394]

PyrrhusofEpirus

I grant that Plato no doubt ironed out the wrinkles, but I don't know that drama should be a disqualifier or suggestion of overt tampering by Plato. Demosthenes certainly managed to invest his defense in "on the crown" with a lot of drama.