Book excerpt: "Describes parallel lives of Athenian democracy and Athenian tragedy--how and why they concurrently arose, blossomed and died, shaped especially by a fatal Athenian penchant for war. Demonstrates how drama emerged from four unique elements in Greek culture: bardic poetry; open sporting competition; uncodified religion; and exploratory philosophy. Imagines evolution of the tragic genre from practitioner's viewpoint"--Provided by publisher.