Was Socrates an actual historical person or merely a fictional character?

There are about as many doubts as that of any historical text. Yes, of course one cannot know whether or not ancient writings speak the truth, but regardless, the texts at least would still hold value. That said, many sources suggest Socrates was an actual historical figure who was widely written about in antiquity, most notably by Plato, Aristotle, Aristophanes and Xenophon. These texts, however, are inconsistent, incomplete, and undoubtedly historically inaccurate. The details of Socrates's life and character remain controversial; nonetheless, his historical existence has never been seriously questioned.