This three-part historical series, written and presented by classicist Dr Michael Scott examines the extraordinary career of Athens in the ancient world, the prism of one of its most important and culturally crucial spaces: the theatre.
EPISODE 1
Democrats
Classicist, Dr Michael Scott journeys to Athens to explore how drama first began. He discovers that from the very start it was about more than just entertainment - it was a reaction to real events, it was a driving force in history, and it was deeply connected to Athenian democracy. In fact, the story of theatre is the story of Athens.
EPISODE 2
Kings
Classicist, Dr Michael Scott looks at the dramatic decline of Athens and the remarkable triumph and transformation of theatre. During the fourth century BC Athens would lose its Empire, its influence and even its democracy. But theatre, that most Athenian of inventions, would thrive, spreading throughout the Greek world and beyond and giving rise to a new kind of comedy, one so popular and prevalent that it is still at the heart of our comedy today.
EPISODE 3
Romans
Classicist, Dr Michael Scott examines the vital role played by the Romans in the preservation of Greek drama and in the history of theatre. He explores how the Romans absorbed Greek theatre and adapted it to their own, very Roman, ends, and looks at how this famous Empire provides one of the crucial connections between our modern drama and the great plays of the ancient Greeks.
Dr. Michael Scott
David Wilson
Catherine Abbott
