Final answer:
Socrates was put to death by the democratic government of Athens for accusations of corrupting the youth and impiety. His defense, a commitment to philosophy and virtue, was not enough to sway the jury, leading to his death sentence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pythias, referred to here, is not a real person but seems to be conflated with the historical figure of Socrates. Socrates was put to death not for any transgression against Pythias, but for reasons related to his philosophic activities in Athens. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and of impiety, which included not acknowledging the city's gods and introducing new deities. His defense during his trial, as recounted in Plato's Apologia, primarily revolved around his commitment to philosophy and the virtues that guide the philosophical life.
The trial of Socrates has been recorded and discussed by both Plato and Xenophon. Despite offering alternatives to the death penalty, Socrates was sentenced to drink hemlock. His thoughts on death and wickedness, his adherence to what he believed was right, and his mission to engage others in dialogue about virtue and justice have been preserved as testament to his philosophy and contributions to Western thought.