A sequence of programmes celebrating and investigating our fascination with the Ancient Greeks presented by Sarah Dunant, who is joined in the studio for an afternoon of debate, drama, documentaries and contemporary Greek music by theatre director Peter Hall, playwright Colin Teevan and Professor Paul Cartledge.
Reporter Ian Peacock will be relaying tales from modern Greece in his radio postcards throughout the day. Listeners can take part by e-mailing their questions to studio guests via the Radio 3 website.
2.15 The first of three extracts from Greek singer Nena Venetsanou's recent performance of classical Greek verse set to music, recorded at the Barbican, London.
2.25 The first of six radio postcards from Ian Peacock in Athens. He starts his odyssey by discovering the new Homer.
2.30 Being.... Medea
Actress Fiona Shaw presents the first of three masterclasses in the art of performing the Greek tragic heroines.
3.15 Being.... Electra
With Fiona Shaw.
4.00 Possessed by Greece
Theatre producer and writer Michael Kustow's documentary asks why the legacy of Ancient Greece has cast a spell on every aspect of our lives. With contributions from Timberlake Wertenbaker, Tony Harrison and Professor Edith Hall.
Followed by a studio discussion.
5.30 Being.... Antigone
With Fiona Shaw.
6.10 A look ahead to the performance of Medea by Euripides; the opening play in Radio 3's Greek drama season.
6.30 Sunday Play: Medea
By Euripides, translated by Kenneth McLeish and Frederic Raphael.
Deborah Warner's Abbey Theatre/Really Useful Group production of Euripides's startling tragedy. A tale of betrayal and vengeance in which Medea, spurned by Jason, plans the most cruel revenge of all - the brutal killing of her children.
Chorus: Gabrielle Lloyd, Moya Brady, Gillian Hanna, Emma Dewhurst, Kate Fleetwood, Joyce Henderson and Pauline Lynch. Music by Mel Mercier. Singer Rhonwyn Hayes. Directed for radio by Fiona Shaw
7.50 The studio guests discuss how the Ancient Greeks drew things to a conclusion. The Muse of Beginnings and Endings sings while Aristotle wrestles with catharsis.
