What happens when people feel unheard and vote for a demagogue? What Plato attributed to the concept of ‘Thymos’ 2,400 years ago, today finds a tangible connection in the brain. The ramifications for democratic thought are profound.

Understanding the way in which sounds move through archaeological sites could offer insights into how ancient societies may have organized themselves. The results of field studies applying ‘psychoacoustic’ techniques at an ancient Greek sanctuary show the potential of this approach.