2nd Edition

Trials from Classical Athens

By Christopher Carey Copyright 2012
    304 Pages
    by Routledge

    304 Pages
    by Routledge

    The ancient Athenian legal system is both excitingly familiar and disturbingly alien to the modern reader. It functions within a democracy which shares many of our core values but operates in a disconcertingly different way. Trials from Classical Athens assembles a number of surviving speeches written for trials in Athenian courts, dealing with themes which range from murder and assault, through slander and sexual misconduct to property and trade disputes and minor actions for damage. The texts illuminate key aspects both of Athenian social and political life and the functioning of the Athenian legal system.

    This new and revised volume adds to the existing selection of key forensic speeches with three new translations accompanied by lucid explanatory notes. The introduction is augmented with a section on Athenian democracy to make the book more accessible to those unfamiliar with the Athenian political system. To aid accessibility further a new glossary is included as well as illustrations for the first time.

    Providing a unique and guided introduction to the Athenian legal system and explaining how the system reveals the values and social life of Classical Athens, Trials from Classical Athens remains a fundamental resource for students of Ancient Greek history and anyone interested in the law, social history and oratory of the Ancient Greek world.

    Part I: Homicide cases  Part II: Assault and wounding  Part III: Suits concerning property  Part IV: Cases concerning commerce  Part V: Cases concerning citizenship  Part VI: Miscellaneous  Appendix I: Athenian currency  Appendix II: The Athenian calendar Appendix III: Glossary of Athenian legal terms 

    Biography

    Christopher Carey is Professor of Greek at University College London.