Socrates the warrior

In reading an account of Socrates it mentions he was born nine years after the Athenians and their allies finally defeated the Persians at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC).  OK.  Except I had him in my memory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, much earlier.  Checking the dates, I am clearly wrong in my recollection.  He was definitely a soldier, just not at Marathon.  Indeed, that war was over before he was born.

He was a hero at the Battle of Delium during the Peloponnesian War.  

From Socrates the Soldier by Donald.  The subheading is Some notes on Socrates’ military service, and how it’s described in the surviving sources.  

In Plato’s Laches, the eponymous general is portrayed as describing an eyewitness account of Socrates’ exceptional service in the Battle of Delium.  In Plato’s Symposium, Alcibiades likewise describes witnessing Socrates’ courage in the battles of Potidaea and Delium.  We have a brief mention of Socrates’ service from Xenophon but also a longer portrayal of Socrates discussing military training and tactics, in a manner indicative of his past experience.  It’s clear from the surviving writings that Socrates was famous among Athenians for his military endurance, self-discipline, and courage on the battlefield.  He is also portrayed as an experienced veteran, whose opinions on military matters are valued by his younger followers.

Many more details and stories of Socrates military career at the link for the article.