Socrates (ca. 469/68 - 399 BC) is regarded as the founding figure of philosophy. His influence was immense even in ancient times and continues to this day. Hegel referred to him as a "world-historical figure," the "main turning point of the spirit in itself." However, the almost immeasurable impact associated with his name stands in stark contrast to the little we know about Socrates. Since he did not write any texts himself, we rely on the writings of three authors whose portrayals of Socrates could hardly be more different: a comedy by Aristophanes, the dialogues of the young Plato, and the Socratic writings of Xenophon. This introduction offers an approach to the historical Socrates through the lens of the differences in these texts.