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. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the reforms after 410 BCE?

<p>To simplify and recodify existing laws. (C)</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) (B)</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. (C)</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. (D)</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 (A)</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 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>6,000 (B)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes private actions from public actions in Athenian law?

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

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

<p>The prosecutor spoke first (B)</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 (A)</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 (D)</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 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who were the notable speechwriters mentioned in the content?

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

What was one of Socrates' charges during his trial?

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

What unusual method was permitted for obtaining testimony from slaves?

<p>Torture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Socrates' suggested punishment upon his conviction?

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

How did the jury cast their votes in Athenian courts?

<p>Colour-coded pebbles (C)</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 (A)</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 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Patrilateral kinship (D)</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 (A)</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 (A)</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 (A)</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 (D)</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 (D)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterized the oikos in ancient Greece?

<p>The oikos encompassed people, property, land, and animals. (B)</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. (D)</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. (C)</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. (D)</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. (B)</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. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group often lived in the oikos besides the family?

<p>Slaves, dependents, and metics. (A)</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. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary purpose did the andron serve in Greek households?

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

What event triggered Euphiletus' act of killing Eratosthenes?

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

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

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

What aspect of Greek culture did the symposium reflect?

<p>Widespread cultural practices among men (B)</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 (B)</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 (C)</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 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Judicature

The administration of justice through courts and judges.

Private Action (dikai idiai)

A court case involving an individual's rights, where the community is not directly affected.

Public Action (dikai demosiai)

A court case concerning the violation of community laws or norms.

Action

The punishment or consequence for breaking a law.

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Jury

A group of citizens responsible for determining guilt or innocence in a case.

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Magistrate

A magistrate who presided over a trial and ensured the proceedings were fair.

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Preliminary Inquiry

A preliminary investigation that aimed to resolve disputes outside of court.

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Arbitration

A process where parties involved in a case settle their differences with the help of a neutral third party.

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Nomos

The Greek word for 'law', also translated as 'custom'.

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Unwritten Laws / Custom

Unwritten rules and traditions passed down orally, considered the origin of formal laws by some.

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Written Laws

Formal laws written down and publicly displayed for all to see. Introduced in the 7th century BCE.

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Zaleucus Laws

The first known written laws in any Greek city, attributed to Zaleucus for Locri Epizephyrii in Southern Italy.

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Draco's Laws

The first Athenian laws, known for their severe punishments, attributed to Draco.

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Solon's Laws

Solon's laws aimed to resolve conflict between the wealthy and poor in Athens, inscribed on public wooden blocks and later stone.

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Assembly (Ekklesia)

The democratic assembly in Athens where laws were passed by majority vote.

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Decree (Psephisma)

A decree that applies to a specific situation, not necessarily permanent, distinct from a general law (nomos).

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Oikia

The physical 'house' in ancient Greece.

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Patrilateral and Matrilateral Kinship

The distinction between the paternal and maternal relations was important and incorporated into the Greek language.

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Patrilocal Marriage

Women moved from their natal family (where they were born) into the oikos of their husband (conjugal family).

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Stem Family

The core of the Greek oikos, often including grandparents.

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Kyrios

The senior male of the oikos. He had legal authority over the women of the household and represented the family in the outside world.

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Natal vs. Conjugal Family

The tension between the natal family (woman's family) and the conjugal family (husband's family).

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Divorce and Women's Autonomy

Women might return to their natal home if they were divorced.

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Rectangular Courtyard

A courtyard in the center of a Greek house with rooms opening onto it.

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Hearth

The sacred center of the Greek household, often associated with the goddess Hestia. It was where rituals were conducted and symbolized the community.

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Oikonomikia

The study and practice of household management, especially in ancient Greece.

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Metic

A non-citizen foreigner who resided in Greece.

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Freedmen

A person who has been freed from slavery.

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Dependants

A person who is not a citizen of Athens and does not have full rights, but is under the protection of the state.

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What is a water clock?

A type of ancient Greek clock that measured time by the gradual flow of water, similar to an hourglass.

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What is a logographos?

In ancient Athenian courts, a wealthy individual could hire a skilled speaker to write and deliver their arguments for them.

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What are character witnesses?

During Athenian trials, witnesses were called upon to share their knowledge of the defendant's character and actions.

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How was slave testimony accepted as evidence?

The use of physical force to extract information from slaves was allowed as evidence in ancient Athenian courts.

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How did Athenian juries vote?

Ancient Athenian juries used colored pebbles, initially placed in a simple urn, later transitioning to bronze containers, to vote in trials.

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What was the process for determining punishment in Athenian trials?

The accused and the prosecutor in an Athenian trial proposed different punishments, and the jury voted on which punishment was more fitting.

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Why was Socrates put on trial?

Socrates was accused of introducing new gods and corrupting the youth, prompting a trial that ultimately led to his execution.

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What was Socrates' defense during his trial?

Socrates' defense centered on the claim that his true mission was to question the perceived wisdom of people, leading to the revelation that 'true' wisdom might be rarer than assumed.

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Gynaikonitis

A term for the section of a Greek house designated for women, typically located on the upper floor.

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Flagrante Delicto

A situation where a crime is committed in the act or caught in the act.

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Adultery

Sex outside of marriage in ancient Greece, considered a serious offense against the family.

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Justifiable Homicide

A legal defense that argues killing was justified because the victim was caught in the act of committing a crime.

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Symposium

The social space where men would gather for symposia, a practice prominent across Greece, including in larger and smaller homes.

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Masculine Bias in Historical Records

The tendency for historical accounts to favor masculine perspectives, potentially leading to imbalanced understanding of women's roles and experiences.

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Euphiletus' Case

The legal trial of Euphiletus for killing Eratosthenes, providing insights into Greek law and social customs.

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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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Week 8 Greek Law and Athenian Legal Procedure PDF

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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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