Mary Renault began writing her hugely popular novels of ancient Greece in the 1950s, just at the moment when conventional study of classics had a reached a nadir of irrelevance.
She brought the world of Plato and Socrates, of Theseus and Alexander, back to life so convincingly that she inspired a new generation of readers.
With contributions from film director Oliver Stone, TV historian Bettany Hughes and broadcaster Sue MacGregor a personal friend of Renault's, this film explores how she did it and why, without her, we might have lost touch with the roots of our civilization.
Broadcaster: BBC Four
TX Date: April 2006
Total Episodes: 1
Duration: 60 mins
Executive Producer(s): Colin Cameron
Useful Links: BBC Four