Introduction

Athens: The Dawn of Democracy is a two-part documentary series presented by historian Bettany Hughes, exploring the ‘Golden Age’ of ancient Athens at the dawn of democracy.

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Originally known as Athens: The Truth About Democracy.

Outline

Bettany Hughes searches for the truth about the ‘Golden Age’ of Ancient Athens, investigating how a barren rock wedged between the East and West became the first democracy 2,500 years ago.

Democracy, liberty and the freedom of speech are trumpeted as the bedrock of western civilisation, but what was Athens really like?

Bettany goes deep underground to explore a treasure trove of prehistoric bones and ancient artifacts. In silver mines and tombs she uncovers evidence for what this society was really like. This was a democratic city built on slave labour, manipulated by aristocrats, where women wore the veil and men pursued a bloody foreign policy, slaughtering thousands in the pursuit of the world’s first democratic empire.

The programme reveals amazing, sophisticated voting systems but also a society where smooth-talking politicians used spin, and where those who did not vote were known as ‘idiotes’.

Production & Filming Details

• Presenter(s): Bettany Hughes.
• Director(s): Timothy Copestake.
• Producer(s): Richard Bradley, Rowan Deacon, Bill Locke, Jack Macinnes, Maria Powell, and Sophia Roberts.
• Music: William Goodchild.
• Cinematography: Colin Clarke.
• Editor(s): Allen Charlton.
• Production: Lion Television.
• Distributor(s): Channel 4.
• Release Date: 21 July 2007.
• Running Time: 120 minutes.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.