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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

Book of the Week: Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life: Episode 3

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The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

Episode 3

Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life, Episode 3

Now a young man, Socrates must take up his sword and fight for his beloved Athens.

War engulfed much of Socrates' life. Now a young man, he must take up his sword and fight for his beloved Athens.

Written by Bettany Hughes. 

Socrates lived in a city that nurtured the key ingredients of contemporary civilisation - democracy, liberty, science, drama, rational thought- yet, as he wrote nothing in his lifetime, he himself is an enigmatic figure. "The Hemlock Cup" tells his story, setting him in the context of the Eastern Mediterranean that was his home, and dealing with him as he himself dealt with the world. 

War engulfed much of Socrates' life. Now a young man, he must take up his sword and fight for his beloved Athens. 

Abridged by Libby Spurrier
Reader: Bettany Hughes


Producer: Joanna Green
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Bettany Hughes reads from her account of Socrates' life, death and beliefs

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Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

Episode 3

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