Greek Law and Athenian Legal Procedure
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Questions and Answers

What does the Greek word 'Nomos' translate to?

  • Rule
  • Law or Custom (correct)
  • Justice
  • Command
  • Who is credited with the first written laws in Greece?

  • Draco
  • Solon
  • Zaleucus (correct)
  • Pindar
  • What aspect of Draco's laws led to the term 'Draconian'?

  • Their popularity
  • Their severity (correct)
  • Their complexity
  • Their flexibility
  • What was a significant change introduced by Solon's laws in Athens?

    <p>They were inscribed for public visibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the reforms after 410 BCE?

    <p>To simplify and recodify existing laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element of Athenian law-making allowed for laws to be passed by majority?

    <p>The Assembly (ekklesia)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the lack of distinction between 'nomos' and 'psephisma' signify in the 5th century BCE?

    <p>Laws and decrees were often treated similarly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributed to the complexity of Athenian legal books over time?

    <p>The continuous addition of new laws and decrees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the role of the archontes in the early Athenian legal system?

    <p>To deliver verdicts in legal cases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of Solon's establishment of the trial by the elaia?

    <p>To hear appeals of archons' verdicts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many jurors were typically drawn up for a given year in Athens?

    <p>6,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes public actions in the Athenian legal system?

    <p>They concerned the community and had serious penalties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes private actions from public actions in Athenian law?

    <p>Only individuals could raise private actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During a trial, who spoke first, the prosecutor or the litigant?

    <p>The prosecutor spoke first</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could happen to someone who abandoned their prosecution in a public action?

    <p>They could face penalties for wasting time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of case was especially significant in the context of public actions?

    <p>Homicide cases that could involve community disruption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism was used in Athenian courts to limit the time a litigant could speak?

    <p>Water clock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the notable speechwriters mentioned in the content?

    <p>Lysias and Demosthenes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of Socrates' charges during his trial?

    <p>Corrupting the youth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unusual method was permitted for obtaining testimony from slaves?

    <p>Torture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Socrates' suggested punishment upon his conviction?

    <p>Support from the polis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the Athenian judicial system was seen as a critical weakness?

    <p>Influence of eloquent speech</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the jury cast their votes in Athenian courts?

    <p>Colour-coded pebbles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the typical strategy for punishment proposals after a trial in Athens?

    <p>Accusers proposed the death penalty, and convicts suggested a lesser punishment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'oikos' refer to in ancient Greek society?

    <p>The physical house and household structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of kinship was more prevalent in ancient Greek society?

    <p>Patrilateral kinship</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary role of the 'kyrios' within the oikos?

    <p>To hold legal authority over the family and represent them in public affairs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did marriage affect women's living situations in Greek society?

    <p>Women moved from their natal families to their husbands' households</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a common source of tension for women between families?

    <p>The relationship dynamics between paternal and maternal families</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these best describes the typical family structure within the Greek oikos?

    <p>Nuclear families often included stem-families or extended family members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did women's lack of autonomy in ancient Greek society often necessitate?

    <p>Their subsequent reliance on male representation for legal matters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'conjugal family' refer to in the context of Greek marriages?

    <p>The family a woman joins upon marrying her husband</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily characterized the oikos in ancient Greece?

    <p>The oikos encompassed people, property, land, and animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary requirement for a man to get a divorce in Athens?

    <p>Returning the dowry to the woman’s parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What architectural feature was common in Greek houses during the Classical and Hellenistic periods?

    <p>A rectangular courtyard at the center.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Greek houses typically ensure their inhabitants' privacy?

    <p>Through high walls separating living spaces from the outside.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did the hearth play in Greek households?

    <p>It served as the center for rituals and community gathering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary function of the andron in a Greek house?

    <p>A room for men to meet and entertain guests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group often lived in the oikos besides the family?

    <p>Slaves, dependents, and metics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What materials were most commonly found in the construction of second stories in Greek houses?

    <p>Mudbrick on a stone foundation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary purpose did the andron serve in Greek households?

    <p>Men's gathering space for symposiums</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event triggered Euphiletus' act of killing Eratosthenes?

    <p>An affair with Euphiletus' wife</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How were women's quarters likely arranged in relation to men's quarters in Greek homes?

    <p>Above men's quarters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of legal justification did Euphiletus claim for killing Eratosthenes?

    <p>Justifiable homicide due to adultery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Greek culture did the symposium reflect?

    <p>Widespread cultural practices among men</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which best describes the emphasis of textual sources regarding Euphiletus' household?

    <p>Focus on the authority of men</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant consequence of adultery in the context of Euphiletus' society?

    <p>Threat to the legitimacy of citizenship of kin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the household of Euphiletus as captured in Lysias' speech?

    <p>A modest household with a small family</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    • Law and politics are closely linked, impacting societal function.
    • Athenians recognized the importance of rules and laws for society.
    • Legal systems often include internal conflicts within societies.
    • The concept of law, similar to a divine entity, was discussed by Pindar.

    Legislation

    • Nomos is the Greek word for "law" or "custom."
    • Different perspectives exist about the origins of laws.
    • Some believe laws originated as unwritten customs, while others believe laws were originally written.
    • Written laws emerged in 7th century BCE, later continuing into the 5th century BCE.
    • Early Greek laws, attributed to Draco in 621/620 BCE, were severe.
    • Solon's laws, coded in the 6th century BCE, were inscribed on public display (stone tablets) and aimed at resolving issues between the wealthy and poor.
    • Solon's reforms established a trial system (elaia).
    • Athenian legal conflicts required a jury system of 6000 jurors selected annually.
    • Trials were overseen by magistrates.
    • Distinguishing between public and private legal actions was crucial.
    • Public actions were of community concern, with severe penalties for failure.
    • Private actions dealt with individual disputes.
    • Legal cases, like disputes over homicide, were often complex and politically significant.

    The Trial of Socrates (399 BCE)

    • Socrates was accused of impiety (creating new gods) and corrupting the youth.
    • Socrates' defense, documented by Plato, detailed his philosophical mission.
    • Socrates' accusers proposed a severe penalty, while Socrates proposed a more lenient alternative.
    • The jury sentenced Socrates to death.

    Women and the Family in Greek Society

    • Ancient Greek society primarily focused on the male perspective.
    • Women's lives were often largely unknown.
    • The oikos (household) was the fundamental social unit, encompassing the family, property, and other related aspects, often managed by the male head of the family.
    • The relationship between the natal (birth) and conjugal (marriage) oikos and women was often complex.
    • Patriarchal elements were present in ancient Greek family structures, where the male head of the household (kyrios) held significant power and control.
    • Family dynamics were complex, not easily determined from male-authored texts.

    Greek Houses

    • Greek homes were traditionally structured around a central courtyard.
    • The home's construction focused on the interior space.
    • The importance of the 'hearth' was highlighted in Greek society, serving as a central for social and religious activities.

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    Description

    Explore the intricacies of Greek law and the Athenian legal system. Understand how early legislation, such as that of Draco and Solon, shaped the legal framework of Ancient Athens. Delve into the connections between law, politics, and societal order in this fascinating quiz.

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