Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth

Season 1

Presented by classicist Dr. Michael Scott, this series examines Athens' extraordinary theater career. As Athens played its life out on the Mediterranean stage, the Athenians were regularly sitting down to watch tragedies and comedies in their theaters, but rather than providing pure 'entertainment', 'distraction', or 'diversion' from reality, they were sharply focused on the events of their time.

20133 episodes

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S1 E1 - Democrats
August 27, 2013
59min
13+
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.
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S1 E2 - Kings
September 3, 2013
59min
13+
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.
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S1 E3 - Romans
September 10, 2013
59min
13+
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?
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