At the close of Socrates’ discourse on the afterlife—at which time he recognizes that he has been speculating, but he assures his companions that they should be of good cheer about the afterlife—he turns to face his execution.  (Now that the un-Socratic dialogue is over, the remainder of the narration may be a historical report.)  He takes a bath to spare his friends the task of washing his body after the execution.

            He then has his family, consisting of his wife, Xanthippe and his three sons, one older (Lamprocles), two of them still young (Sophroniscus and Menexenus, none of them named here), and some women of the household, brought in for a final farewell.[23]  He comforts them and has them led away.  Around sunset, an officer of the prison comes in and bids him a tearful good-bye, noting that Socrates has been kind to him rather than abusive as are other prisoners.  Crito suggests delaying the execution, but Socrates sees no point.  He asks that the cup of hemlock be brought in.  Socrates asks about pouring a libation to the gods, but the officer points out that there is just enough poison to do the job.  Socrates prays to the gods and drains the cup. 

            At this point, Socrates’ companions burst into tears and lamentation.  Socrates rebukes them for their outburst.  One should depart in reverent silence.  His companions do their best to restrain their emotions.  Socrates now follows the instruction to walk around until his legs feel heavy, and then lie down.  The officer tests his body, finding that it is growing numb.  At the last moment, Socrates raises a covering from his head and says, “Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius,” an offering for healing.  He then passes away. 

[23] Plato Phaedo 116b.  On his sons’ names, D.L. 2. 26; on Lamprocles, Xenophon Memorabilia 2.2.1.