A fitting tribute to the glory of ancient Greece, PBS’s sprawling “Greeks: The Melting Pot of Civilization” tells the story of the earliest rise of Greek democracy from 500 BC. to catastrophic wars that nearly destroyed the Empire.
It ends with a fascinating look at how the Greeks were defeated, but how their philosophy endured and changed the world forever. Beautifully shot by actor Liam Neeson and accompanied by witty narration, this documentary captures the eye and the heart while detailing it in detail.
The photography of ancient ruins is often spectacular, and the judicious use of film actors in the reenactment of important events can ensure immediacy. Much of the story tells how the Greeks fundamentally invented politics and democracy, and interviews with leading scholars from classical history provide insight into key figures, including Thales, Pericles, and Socrates.
A well presented tale of epic battles on land and sea and a thoughtful take on the Greek ideal of heroism. But the documentary is particularly successful in its closing stages, when the story turns to the fall of Socrates and offers a thoughtful explanation of how Greek philosophy changed civilization.
