This paper investigates the notion of the «royal art» (basilike techne) in the thought of the historical Socrates. The method is comparative and assumes that critical analysis of agreement between Plato and Xenophon and, when possible, other sources, leads to the historical goal. Other sources discussed in this paper are two pseudo-Platonic works, Amatores and Minos. Because it is a question of the historical Socrates, Plato’s Politikos, in which the «royal art» is discussed but Socrates is not a participant, is excluded. It is shown that the «royal art» was a political idea of interest to Socrates; that in discussing it he characteristically deflects it to the sphere of ethics; that he was justified in so doing because for him self-control (moderation, sophrosyne) was a form of ruling. From our point of view, however, Socrates’ construal of the «royal art» is apolitical or perhaps anti-political. Surely the historical Socrates’ notorious avoidance of the Athenian politics of his lifetime is relevant.