Named after the Greek philosopher Sokrates (c. 470–399 B.C.), who taught that one should always say the truth. He was forced to drink hemlock, because the state was afraid that Sokrates influenced the youth and denied the official religion. As a good citizen he took the cup in the presence of all his pupils, without protesting against the government. As he never wrote anything down, all we know about Sokrates is from his pupil Plato {see planet  (5451)}. (M 22509) _ _.