Ancient Greece by Train with Alice Roberts S01E02 - Athens

Alice is in the Penteli hills in Athens, at a site known as the Sanctuary of Dionysus, the god of wine. Local legend has it that on a night of drink and revelry a man called Thespis created what we now know as theatre. His name is still used today, with the thespians synonym for actors. Local expert Nike, who's spent years researching the origins of theatre, tells Alice that theatre also laid the foundation stones for the birth of democracy. And in a surprise invitation to meet the Greek Minister of Culture, Alice discusses the return of the Elgin Marbles.