Greek tradition involved offering animal sacrifice to the gods for favors received or sought. Presumably Socrates had made a vow to Asclepius and gotten what he wanted, so he felt honor bound to pay it back. As a result of this mutual contract amongst himself and Zeus, the King of Gods denied Socrates' humble request. Socrates' imminent suicide was foreshadowed when Zeus feared that [Asclepius'] power of healing was said to be so powerful that he could revive the dead. Rumor had it that his healing powers surpassed that of the powers of the three Olympic Gods. In an effort to subdue Apollo's bequest, Zeus struck Asclepius down with His thunderbolt. Initially, Apollo had pleaded with Zeus to spare his son Asclepius. However, Zeus was enraged when he learned Apollo's prophecy and how the blood of Medusa and the Centaur Chiron's teaching of healing modalities had empowered His son to become the strongest healer amongst the demigods.
Critos’ Response to Asclepius