Socrates’ Secret Quest

A philosophy game in the footsteps of Socrates

https://wisdom.agt.homoludens.org/

Homo Ludens presents Socrates’ Secret Quest, a site-specific digital city game that invites users to follow in the footsteps of Socrates in Athens and discover his philosophical legacy through riddles, questions, and observation of the urban space.

The application is part of the Athens Games Trilogy, a trilogy of digital city games that combines culture, education, and play. It is implemented with the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, within the framework of the programme «Creative Greece – Digital Actions for Culture 2024».

A 70-minute philosophical mission in Athens

Socrates’ Secret Quest begins on Philopappos Hill, at the so-called Prison of Socrates, and leads participants on a route through landmarks of ancient and modern Athens.

The aim of the game is to solve a secret riddle narratively connected to the year 399 BC, the year of Socrates’ trial and death. At each station, players are invited to observe the space, answer questions, unlock new clues, and gradually connect different aspects of Socratic thought.

Through the route, participants encounter:

• moments from the life, trial, and death of Socrates,
• the Socratic method, irony, and maieutics,
• concepts such as virtue, self-knowledge, law, doubt, and the examined life,
• Socrates’ relationship with later philosophical schools,
• his lasting influence on Western philosophy through Plato and the Academy.

The mystery of the carving

At the beginning of the route, players encounter a strange carving said to have been found inside his prison, possibly carrying a message for future generations.

What might the carving be hiding after all?

A symbol? A route? A warning? Or perhaps the final ironic gesture of a philosopher who never stopped asking questions?

As they move from station to station, players collect keywords, observe the space, and encounter different aspects of Socratic thought. Each answer reveals another piece of meaning; each stop sheds light on a new possibility.

The answer is revealed only at the end of the route.

Note on historical and fictional context

Socrates’ Secret Quest draws inspiration from historical sources, philosophical texts, archaeological sites, and landmarks of Athens. Some elements of the route are based on documented historical or philosophical material, while others are used as part of the fictional narrative of the game.

The association of this particular site with the so-called Prison of Socrates belongs to a strong local tradition, but it is not an absolutely confirmed archaeological identification. Likewise, the secret carving and the cryptic riddle that players are invited to decipher are part of the game’s narrative concept.

The purpose of the experience is not to replace historical knowledge, but to invite you to encounter the city, philosophy, and Socratic thought in a playful, experiential, and creative way.

Availability & Access

• The application is offered free of charge and is available in Greek and English.
• The route takes approximately 70 minutes.
• Starting point: Philopappos Hill, the so-called Prison of Socrates.
• We recommend completing the route during daylight hours, as some points may be difficult to access, dark, or closed after sunset.
• Users are advised to have a fully charged mobile phone, water, a hat, and closed athletic shoes.
• The application is easily accessible via smart devices, with extremely low mobile data consumption.

The use of headphones is recommended.

Rediscover Athens through the questions of Socrates.
The city is the field. The riddle is the trigger. Philosophy begins when you tap «CONTINUE».