More About the Video

The Smarthistory video "The Athenian Agora and the Experiment in Democracy", written and narrated by Steven Zucker and Beth Harris explores the history of the Athenian democracy, its limitations and its connection to the Ancient Agora as a public space.

The Agora was the meeting place for the assembly and the council, and was also home to a number of important buildings, including the Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus.

The video highlights the role of the Ancient Agora as a site of intellectual and philosophical discourse. The Agora was home to numerous philosophers, including Socrates and Plato, who engaged in discussions with fellow Athenians on topics ranging from ethics to politics. These discussions were central to the development of Athenian thought and culture, and played an important role in shaping the city's democratic ideals.