Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth

In Episode 1 of 'Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth' 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, a driving force in history, and it was deeply connected to Athenian democracy. In fact, the story of theater is the story of Athens.

During the fourth century BC, Athens would lose its Empire, its influence, and even its democracy... but theater, that most Athenian of inventions, would thrive, spreading throughout the Greek world and beyond. It gave rise to a new kind of comedy, one so popular and prevalent that it is still at the heart of our comedy today.

Dr. Michael Scott examines the vital role played by the Romans in the preservation of Greek drama, and in the history of theater. He explores how the Romans absorbed Greek theater and adapted it to their own. How did this famous Empire provide one of the crucial connections between our modern drama and the great plays of the ancient Greeks?