Athens: Birthplace of Democracy?
The Ancients27 Apr 2023

Athens: Birthplace of Democracy?

When we think of democracy in the ancient Greek world, our minds often go straight to Athens, the purported birthplace of democracy. But was Athens truly the home of democracy? And if so, who's responsible for giving a voice to the people?


In this episode, Tristan chats to Professor Paul Cartledge from the University of Cambridge about the political landscape of ancient Greece and the origins of this revolutionary form of government. Looking at the radical statesman Cleisthenes; exploring his contributions to the democratic process, and delving into ancient forms of political exclusion and ostracism - can we really call Athens the birthplace of democracy? And if not, where actually is?


For more Ancients content, subscribe to our newsletter here.


If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download, go to Android or Apple store

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(606)

Tomyris: A Warrior Queen's Revenge

Tomyris: A Warrior Queen's Revenge

Her legend afforded her a place alongside Eve, Cleopatra and Venus, to name just a few of the famous women whose biographies were collected by Giovanni Boccaccio in 1361-2. Though not a household name...

14 Jan 202140min

Oppian’s Halieutica: Creatures of the Ancient Deep

Oppian’s Halieutica: Creatures of the Ancient Deep

The deep blue sea is the subject of speculation to this day but, in this episode, we have access to the mysteries, myths and misgivings that were associated with the ocean in the 2nd century AD. The H...

10 Jan 202146min

Hannibal: Battle by the Trebia

Hannibal: Battle by the Trebia

It’s 218 BC, and Hannibal has made the mammoth journey across the Alps en route to Italy, accompanied by his army, their horses, and their elephants. But the real battle is yet to come, and in this fa...

7 Jan 202145min

How Ancient Egypt Stayed Egyptian

How Ancient Egypt Stayed Egyptian

The length of time between the rule of Cleopatra and the erection of the Pyramids is the same as that between now and the birth of Jesus Christ. With that in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that some ...

3 Jan 202155min

El Kurru: Egypt's Nubian Pharaohs

El Kurru: Egypt's Nubian Pharaohs

In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Ancient Egypt was ruled by an extraordinary dynasty. This was the 25th Dynasty, also known as the Nubian Dynasty because of their Kushite roots. They maintained their ...

31 Dec 202056min

Hatshepsut: Egypt's Hidden Pharaoh

Hatshepsut: Egypt's Hidden Pharaoh

Hatshepsut – whose name means “foremost of noblewomen” – was an exceptional figure in the history of Ancient Egypt. Only the second woman in history to assume the title of pharaoh, during her reign sh...

27 Dec 20201h 4min

The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?

The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?

The clichéd Christmas: white snow, hot fires, mulled wine and a feast. This might not be the case were the holiday not to fall on 25 December and, although many things have been missed in 2020, the us...

24 Dec 202054min

Saturnalia: Bonus Episode!

Saturnalia: Bonus Episode!

In this episode from the History Hit archive, Dan talks to Kevin Butcher about the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Held between the 17 and 23 December, Saturnalia invloved plenty of drinking, gift-givin...

22 Dec 202026min

Populärt inom Historia

massmordarpodden
kod-katastrof
historiska-brott
motiv
olosta-mord
p3-historia
historiepodden-se
rss-historien-om
rss-seriemordarpodden
rss-massmordarpodden
rss-brottsligt
rss-historiska-brottslingar
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
krigshistoriepodden
militarhistoriepodden
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
nu-blir-det-historia
rss-arkiv-stieg
palmemordet
vetenskapsradion-historia