Athens in the fifth century BC was fueled by enormous intellectual and artistic energy, guided by the world’s first citizen government, and defended by a magnificent navy. She was the intellectual center of the Greek world, the “school of Hellas.” This course first considers the political events of this century, beginning with the establishment of the Athenian democracy ca. 508 BC, moving through the growth of the Athenian naval empire, pausing on its defeat in the Peloponnesian War and ending with the death of Socrates in 399 BC. After establishing this political timeline, the course places a special emphasis on cultural events, including the great tragedians and comedians, before turning to the philosophical conflict between the new learning and the traditional belief in the gods. (Recommended reading: Aristophanes’ Clouds)