The History of the World Podcast, written and presented by Chris Hasler

Volume 3 the Classical World

Episode 77

the Classical World Summary Part 2. Oh, So, the the Oh, 400 B.C.E.

Much focus was on the turmoil of Greek-speaking societies at the end of the 5th century

B.C.E.

But despite the turmoil, the Greek-speaking societies were at the forefront of world academia.

The traditions of Greek lyrical poetry made popular by Sappho were being

continued by celebrated poets such as Pindar. A celebration of Greek scribes took place at a regular festival in Athens called

the Great Dionysia. Drama were written to be performed and the best dramas would be performed at the Great Dynacea

before a panel of judges who would select a winner, who would be presented with an Ivy wreath.

Both Eskilos and Sophocles were highly respected

writers of dramas called Tragedies and they would return to the great

Dionysia many times to each be victorious during the 5th century

B.C. even known to compete against each other.

After Eskilossi's heyday, a younger

tragedy called Euripides

would also win the Ivy wreath on multiple occasions. The Greeks didn't just write tragedies though as they

would also write comedies with Aristophanes being one of the most celebrated

comedy writers.

As mentioned in the last episode, the Greek rationalist train of thought would compromise the mythological stories of the pantheon of Greek gods and two of the earliest

great Greek historians would highlight this division in philosophy. Herodotus always wrote with a high regard for the gods and heroes of Greek mythology

...