Socrates (; ,
Sokrátes; 470/469 – 399 BC) was a
classical Greek (
Athenian)
philosopher credited as one of the founders of
Western philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers, especially the writings of his students
Plato and
Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary
Aristophanes. Plato's dialogues are among the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity, though it is unclear the degree to which Socrates himself is "hidden behind his 'best disciple', Plato".