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The Day Democracy Died
- Narrated by: Julian Elfer
- Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
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Summary
How scapegoating and hysteria doomed the world's first democracy. From the chaos of a sea-battle to the fury of a lynch mob, from personal bravery to political machinations, The Day Democracy Died tells in vivid detail the tragic story of the Arginusae trials and the fall of Athens: a cautionary tale of democracy's demons which is as relevant in the age of instant news and mass media as in the volatile city-states of ancient Greece. October, 406 BC: on the darkening waters of the eastern Aegean, an inexperienced Athenian fleet prepared to face the might of Sparta. With the fortunes of the Peloponnesian War turning inexorably against it, a beleaguered Athens badly needed a victory - and it got one.
The Battle of Arginusae, won by raw recruits against a battle-hardened Spartan armada, saved Athens from disaster at a heavy cost in sunken ships. Yet in the confusion following the battle, neither the survivors nor the bodies of the dead were ever recovered. When the fleet returned to an apprehensive, overcrowded Athens, recriminations between its leaders escalated into a vicious, hysterical witch-hunt which convulsed the democracy and swept aside custom, sense, and law. In an extraordinary and chilling sequence of events, six victorious generals were arrested and put on trial for their lives before the Athenian people. On a day of violent passions, before a crowd of thousands, a handful of brave men including the philosopher Socrates struggled to save Athens from itself.
What listeners say about The Day Democracy Died
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- D.M. Cook
- 18-09-22
Brief but to the point
A nice account of the end of the Peloponnesian War. Very well read. A good reconstruction of events in Athens.
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- BRCBKH
- 02-12-21
Wonderful précis
For brevity, this is the best it gets. Clear, elegant and informative. A re-readable gem.
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- Geoff Bull
- 20-09-22
A good read
A stirring story which was well narrated... and and and and and and and
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- Barry O'Connor
- 29-09-22
Very interesting
I found this very interesting and easy to listen to. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Ancient Greece.
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- Jas Singh
- 02-02-22
Condensed Gold
Very rarely does a book in 1hr 30mins impart this amount of story and knowledge, you will learn why when Peterson says in his clinical practice he's never seen anyone ever get away with something, 2 why democracy is fragile and 3 Socrates was a giant amoung men
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- Sofia K.
- 28-01-22
Very enjoyable audio-book
As a historian, I found this an excellent read/audio. Direct, unfussed style, great pace. The events are very sad considering the victims and consequences. And the audio performance was perfect. I am already re-listening to enjoy the details. To the author: PLEASE DO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK soon. We need more of these.
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