It is the autumn of 330 BC, and three law cases are exciting Athens: the malicious wounding of a wealthy citizen; a bizarre murder by hemlock; and an accusation of impiety against the courtesan Phryne. The court proceedings and surrounding speculation stir up strong feelings: disgust for depraved sensuality and deep political passions amongst the citys tensions and of the fragile nature of political constitutions, intervenes, lest the forthcoming trials break Athens into fragments.