Documentary Description
As Athenian democracy progressed, it became embroiled in the clash
of new ideas with old beliefs; Athens started to tear itself apart. The
story culminates in one of history's greatest paradoxes: the trial of
Socrates, who was democratically judged to be executed for speaking his
mind.Democracy grew against the backdrop of a brutal war
between democratic Athens and authoritarian Sparta. Still, Athens
attracted great thinkers and scientists. Art and culture thrived. At
exactly the same time that democracy was emerging, a new, more
realistic style of sculpture flourished. Drama provided a
structured way to express deep feelings and fears, as Athenians used
the theater to debate their problems on stage. Outrageous story lines -
sons and mothers making love, mothers eating their children - were
presented and openly discussed. Theater at every level was a democratic
institution; playwrights were chosen by the state and paid by the state. When
Sparta finally defeated Athens, the citizens looked for a scapegoat.
Socrates had ridiculed the idea of government by non-experts and had
coached many of the arrogant aristocrats who had failed in battle. When
Socrates was condemned for impiety and the corruption of youth, he
refused to compromise in any way and rejected an offer of exile. He
stood trial and was condemned to death by drinking poison. Ultimately,
Athenian democracy, despite its trumpeting of free speech, could not
tolerate an attack on democracy itself. It was an extraordinary moment
in history, but it was not strong enough to thrive and spread. The
empire withered, eventually to be crushed by Alexander the Great. It
would be another 2,000 years before society was once again able to
tolerate the idea of democracy - rule by the people. Program
presenter Bettany Hughes, who won a scholarship to read ancient and
modern history at Oxford University, lectures throughout the world. She
has been invited to universities in the U.S., Australia, Germany,
Turkey and Holland to speak on subjects as diverse as Helen of Troy and
the origins of female "Sophia" to concepts of time in the Islamic
world. She has written and presented a number of documentaries for
television, including HELEN OF TROY and THE SPARTANS. Hughes is
frequently asked to sit on academic and cultural jury panels, most
recently the RTS and Grierson Documentary Awards. Hughes' Helen of Troy,
the first serious and wide-ranging book to have been written about
Helen, was published in 2005 to great critical and popular acclaim.
Hughes is currently writing a book about Socrates.
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