Theater was invented in ancient Athens right around the time that democracy was invented. Was that a coincidence? Or was public entertainment somehow crucial for the functioning of the world's first democracy? Several times a year in Athens, thousands of people would gather at the festivals of the god Dionysus to watch tragedies and comedies performed on stage.

The comedies of this time period are referred to by scholars as "Old Comedy," and Aristophanes is the only playwright of this genre whose works still survive. These plays were quite vulgar—full of scatological humor and sexual profanity. They were also highly political (as were the tragedies, albeit in a different way). Comedies often directly attacked prominent individuals in the city (who were in the audience). As mentioned in episode 8, Socrates was often parodied in the theater. Politicians like Pericles and Cleon were also periodically roasted and humiliated on the comic stage.

The role of satire in society is an issue that is as relevant today as it ever was. In this episode we further explore the relation between entertainment and politics in Athens but through a comedic lens this time. We look at what it was like to see Athenian comedies, what these plays were all about, and what they tell us about life in ancient Athens.

These plays are not only of historical interest. In recent years, there have been many revivals of ancient Athenian comedies by artists who feel that these plays resonate with contemporary issues. A good example of this is Spike Lee's film Chiraq, which is based on the play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, the only Athenian playwright whose comedies we still have. And there have been many other recent productions of Aristophanes' plays. But what is it about Aristophanes that seems to have lasting appeal?

Joining us in this episode to help us understand what all the buzz is about is someone who needs no introduction. Edith Hall is one of the most internationally known scholars of ancient Greece. She is based in King's College, London, where she is professor of classics, She has written many books, including her latest hit, "Introducing the Ancient Greeks," which has already been translated into seven languages. She has also written many books on the history of theater, including her 2010 book "Greek Tragedy: Suffering under the Sun."