Why was Athenian Tragedy an Education for Freedom CL_C 3173: Freedom in Greece The idea of freedom arose in Greece because of the great challenge posed by the Persians in their attempt to conquer the Greek world. Their democracy was tolerant; you were free to live as you chose and Athenians did not discriminate. The play begins with Oedipus claiming his worldwide fame: “I, Oedipus, whose name is known far as Thebes has once again fallen into famine and upon consulting the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, Oedipus learns that this is so because the murder of the old king has gone undetected.