1:26'  French France

What do we know about ancient Athenian democracy, the precursor of modern democracies? For a century and a half, archaeologists and historians have been investigating this crucial period, when for the first time in history, a political regime emerged in which decisions were made by the people, not by an aristocratic elite. To protect themselves from corruption, [...]

What do we know about ancient Athenian democracy, the precursor of modern democracies? For a century and a half, archaeologists and historians have been investigating this crucial period, when for the first time in history, a political regime emerged in which decisions were made by the people, not by an aristocratic elite. To protect themselves from corruption, civil war and tyranny, Athenians devised solutions that the researchers reconstruct using experimental archaeology techniques. However, the archaeology of Athenian democracy also reveals the dark side of its history, including evidence of slavery. This film examines how this ancient democracy worked, highlighting both its ingenuity and its limitations and weaknesses.

Category:  Documentary 

Genre:  Historical