Displaying items by tag: National Hellenic Museum

Walking into the Harris Theater for the “Trial of Themistocles,” I was expecting something translated from ancient Greek, togas, masks, maybe a chorus, and a scholarly script that would take some work to wade through.

Instead I found the latest installment of a delightful Trials Series produced since 2013 by the Chicago-based National Hellenic Museum on Halsted St. This program is part of the museum’s mission to advance awareness of the foundational contributions Greece has made to world civilization, in architecture, philosophy, mathematics, and-particularly timely-democracy. The Museum’s “Trial” series is actually mock-trials of historic Greek figures conducted by actual Chicago judges and argued by prominent local barristers. The annual event was qualified by the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) for continuing legal education (CLE) credit. Attorneys attending the event can register for CLE credit on site.

Though scripted in a somewhat light-hearted tone, the “Trial of Themistocles” evokes weighty matters - touchstone societal issues that underpin our mode of government, and our means to maintain a civil society. It was reassuring, even moving, to be among those hundreds in the audience interested in rational thought and with a cosmopolitan, worldly view of history. While we extol the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment that followed, these periods were essentially a rediscovery of the wisdom of Greece.

Themistocles was an Athenian citizen, the city where trial by jury originated. He was the military chief who planned Athens’ creation of a large fleet of warships, multi-oared triremes, and led them to victory against the mighty Persian empire at the naval battle of Salamis. As a result, Themistocles’ star rose and he was elected Archon of Athens, the head of the city-state. He was a peoples’ candidate, with more common roots in his family tree, but was not welcomed by the aristocracy.

After he left office, history tells us that political rivals besmirched Themistocles’ reputation, accusing him of collusion with the Persians while leading Athens—even though he had defeated the Persons for Athens’ benefit. His enemies were animated to take him down, and Themistocles was ostracized - another Athenian invention - where he was voted out of town. Themistocles then left for an administrative post in Persia. The Athenians summoned him back to be tried for treason, but in real life he died before the trial took place.

In the “Trial of Themistocles,” hosted by former TV news anchor Andrea Darlas, only two professional actors were on stage: in the roles of Athenian politician and naval leader Themistocles (who died in 460 B.C.E.) played by Jonathan Shaboo; and the witness for the prosecution, Arsenia, played by comedian Megan Goldfish. In her day job, she happens to be the Honorable Megan Goldfish, a Cook County Circuit Court Judge.

All this was presided over by a panel of real-life area judges, and with a 12-person jury of scholars, lawyers and media personalities from NBC, Axios, WVON, and including Georgia Tasiopoulou, Consul General at the Greek Consulate in Chicago. Though the Trial series is a one-night-only performance, it was filmed by WTTW for later broadcast. The 2016 broadcast of the “Trial of Antigone” won an Emmy for the local National Public Television affiliate.

Our streaming world is filled with police procedurals and legal shows with actors playing lawyers. In the “Trial of Themistocles,” we got a chance to see how the real deal compares with actors, and in their opening arguments, cross examination, and summations delivered by actual lawyers, it turns out they’re as good as the actors imitating them, maybe even better. In the “Trial of Themistocles,” they acquitted themselves very well, as did the judges.

Leading the defense were Patrick M. Collins, a partner at King & Spaulding law firm; Tinos Diamantatos, a seasoned Katerina Alexopoulos, Assistant Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. And for the prosecution, Sarah King, president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois; and Patrick Salvi II, managing partner of Chicago law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. For the record, I felt Diamantos gave the best oratorical delivery.

All four judges found Themistocles not guilty, including Justice Joy V. Cunningham (Illinois Supreme Court), Hon. Georgia N. Alexakis (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), Hon. Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos (Circuit Court of Cook County) and Hon. Jeffery Chrones (Circuit Court of Cook County). Listening to the judges’ reasoned finding dismissing the charges against Themistocles, it was apparent that their opinions were infused with the master principles enshrined in U.S. law. The 12-member panel of esteemed jurors on stage—composed of civic leaders, academics and media personalities—found Themistocles not guilty by a margin of 11-1. Likewise the audience voted, overwhelmingly for acquittal.

The Museum says its NHM Trial Series “highlights the enduring relevance and value of Greek thought and history.” I couldn’t agree more.

The National Hellenic Museum Has a mission to share Greek history, art, culture and the Greek American story, it also displays its extensive collection of more than 10,000 physical artifacts. Located in Chicago’s historic Greektown neighborhood since 2011, Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. nationalhellenicmuseum.org

*This review can also be found at Theater in Chicago.