Greek - Midterm

Question 1

Iliad

Answer 1

A story of the ninth year of the Trojan War focusing on the wrath of Achilles written ca. 750-700 BCE. This story demonstrates the importance of the gods and the politics of the time (King, council of princes, army).

Question 2

Homer

Answer 2

Homer is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey (allegedly). He demonstrates the relationship between religion and law in ancient Greece and has episodes that portray early legal proceedings. 750-700 BCE

Question 3

time

Answer 3

This means “honor” and the Greeks respected someone’s time which changed with status, age, and action. If one king dishonors another, then they can leave the situation because of time.

Question 4

Achilles’ shield

Answer 4

This is the first ‘western’ literary depiction of a trial. The shield depicts a legal proceeding in which a dispute is brought before an arbitrator, people spoke on both sides of the dispute, and the elders listened.

Question 5

Hesiod

Answer 5

Wrote the Theogony and Works and Days in the time after Homer. His work tells us about the world of kings. 750-650 BCE

Question 6

Gift-Devouring Kings

Answer 6

This phrase was employed in Hesiod’s Works and Days. The poem entreats kings (who have the ability to take bribes and are also responsible for giving straight judgments) to follow Dike.

Question 7

dike (dikai)

Answer 7

Private charges

Question 8

Polis

Answer 8

This is a proto-city that included a community structure, typically with an urban center and surrounding country. Poleis later developed into autonomous city-states.

Question 9

Dike

Answer 9

The goddess of Justice and fair judgments. She is the daughter of Zeus and mentioned in Hesiod’s Works and Days.

Question 10

Miasma

Answer 10

Miasma is a contagious defilement brought upon a person for specific deeds, typically having to do with death. Some instances of miasma were regular and could be cured (e.g., child birth, prepping bodies for funerals) but others could not be (intentional homicide).

Question 11

Rhetra

Answer 11

The rhetra was the Spartan Constitution written by Lycurgus in the 9th-8th century BCE.

Question 12

Eunomia

Answer 12

This indicates the “good laws” of the Greeks. It was first seen in a text fragment from Solon.

Question 13

Nomos (nomoi)

Answer 13

This is the name for a law. It seems to have been different from an ordinance (thesmos) in older times, but the two ideas converged later. Passed by nomothetai and supersedes psephisma (an individual rule)

Question 14

Thesmos (thesmoi)

Answer 14

This is an ordinance. See nomos for more info.

Question 15

Hybris

Answer 15

This indicates the intentional use of violence to humiliate or degrade others. One could theoretically bring a graphe hybreos, but we have no evidence of these going to court.

Question 16

Solon

Answer 16

Solon (630-560 BCE) instituted constitutional reform that overturned many of Draco’s laws, though it likely kept the punishment for homicide. Solonic law laid the foundation for Athenian democracy. He cancelled all debt and then left for 10 years to allow the laws to take effect without his interference. Under Solon “ho boulomenos”: man who wishes to persecute can (an intervention to revenge)

Question 17

Lycurgus

Answer 17

This Spartan quasi-legendary lawgiver is credited with creating the Great Rhetra (Spartan Constitution). His existence is debated. 7th century BCE

Question 18

Demosthenes

Answer 18

Demosthenes was a professional speech-giver (logographer) during the 4th century BCE. An extensive number of his speeches survive. Wrote Against Aristokrates which Advocates eliminating corruption

Question 19

Antiphon

Answer 19

Antiphon was an orator during the 5th century (the earliest of the ten Attic orators). We read “Against the Stepmother” of his works.

Question 20

Agora

Answer 20

The agora was a central, public space in Greece. It housed many of the courts and archons could likely be found in the agora.

Question 21

Palladion

Answer 21

This court dealt with involuntary and attempted homicide.

Question 22

Phreatto

Answer 22

This court at Piraeus required the defendant to stay on a ship outside the port and plead his case. Demosthenes notes this would occur when was an exile convicted of involuntary homicide and now accused again. This prevented the spread of miasma.

Question 23

Delphinion

Answer 23

The Delphinion in Athens near the Acropolis contained a court of law, which was used to try homicide cases where the accused had claimed the defense of justifiable homicide. It incurs no miasma.

Question 24

Prytaneion

Answer 24

Aristotle’s Constitution tells us the archons could be found in the Prytaneion, though they later could also be found in the agora more broadly. This court also heard cases regarding unknown killers, animals, and inanimate objects.

Question 25

ephetai

Answer 25

A special court of 51 men over the age of 50 who tried homicide cases in the four distinct homicide courts. Selected by lot from the members of the Areopagus

Question 26

Archon basileius

Answer 26

The archon basileus was charged with overseeing the organisation of religious rites and with presiding over trials for homicide. His wife was called the basilinna and oversaw religious duties; NAME HERE was basilinna but could not be because she was not a virgin.

Question 27

Eponymous archon

Answer 27

One of Athens’ three original archons, whose name dated the year in which he served. (Ex. ‘When Dave was archon’ dates to a specific year). Presided over boule and ekklesia.

Question 28

Polemarch

Answer 28

One of Athens’ three original archons, the war ruler and leader of the armed forces.

Question 29

Thesmothetai

Answer 29

The six additional archons added to the three, served as jurors. Primary job was to hear charges and arrange trials, but we aren’t completely sure what they did. Instituted in 683 BC, bringing the total number of archons to 9.

Question 30

Council of the Areopagus

Answer 30

A council which met on the Areopagus (hill in Athens) and was made up of former archons (they automatically gained a place when their term ended). We aren’t certain what their powers were, just that some of it was taken away. Likely had a role in the vetting of those entering office.

Question 31

Drako

Answer 31

The Athenian lawgiver before Solon, known for prescribing the death penalty for all offenses. Solon is said to have only kept his law on homicide. Drako’s harsh homicide law could have been a response to the conspiracy of Cylon, and the miasma which followed the killing of him and his followers (Curse of the Alcmeonidae). Could have lived in 620 or 622.

Question 32

Cleisthenes

Answer 32

This "Father of Athenian democracy" reformed the Athenian constitution in 508 BCE. He established equal rights for citizens, the practice of ostracism, the Council of 500 (boule), and the division into ten tribes.

Question 33

Council of 500

Answer 33

The boule was a group of 500 men, 50 from each of ten Athenian tribes, who served on the Council for one year. Its main function was to decide what matters would come before the ekklesia. Probouleutic function (preliminary discussion/deliberation). 508 BCE

Question 34

Isonomia

Answer 34

This means equality before the law and likely refers to the development from oligarchy to democracy.

Question 35

Ephialtes

Answer 35

This 5th-century statesman was anti-Sparta. His reforms stripped power from the Areopagus and strengthened the Boule and Ekklesia.

Question 36

Pericles

Answer 36

Called "the first citizen of Athens" this statesman served during the Peloponnesian War and promoted the arts in what became known as the Golden Age of Athens in the 5th century. Famous for his citizenship law.

Question 37

Ekklesia

Answer 37

The ekklesia made decisions about war and foreign policy, wrote and revised laws, and approved or condemned the conduct of public officials.

Question 38

Psephisma

Answer 38

Decree from the ekklesia. This is on par with nomos and had a limited period of validity.

Question 39

Dokimasia

Answer 39

a check to ensure that the elected officials are in good standing in the city, not necessarily if they are well suited for their position

Question 40

Euthyna

Answer 40

Examination of accounts that every public official underwent to be in office. Two parts: the logos concerned with his handling of public money and dealt with by a board of ten logistai, and the euthynai proper, an opportunity to raise any other objection to his conduct in office, dealt with by a board of ten people appointed by the council (boulē). at the end of a term of service

Question 41

Kleroterion

Answer 41

Device used to randomize and select jurors and members of the boule

Question 42

Klepsydra

Answer 42

This water clock was used to time speeches as prosecution and defense were only allowed a certain amount of time to make their speeches and were not allowed to go over

Question 43

Endeixis

Answer 43

Literally ‘charge’: in Athens the endeixis was a special form of public intervention by a private person that resulted in the immediate arrest of the accused or an order for a material surety by the head of the court. denunciation to an official. It was permissible against persons who visited places that they were forbidden to visit by law or popular resolution. In contrast to the apagogḗ , the intervening person was not required to arrest the accused.

Question 44

Apagoge

Answer 44

Lit. “dragging away,” i.e., to the appropriate magistrate. Summary arrest was permitted against certain categories of criminal, such as thieves, if they were caught red handed. If the accused admitted his guilt before the magistrate he was promptly executed; only if he claimed to be innocent was he put on trial.

Question 45

The Eleven

Answer 45

A board of public officials responsible for the state prison of Athens. The majority of apagogai were brought before them, and they were in charge of all executions. They were not Athenian citizens.

Question 46

Kakourgoi

Answer 46

Generally ‘malefactors’ but in Athens criminal offenders listed in a specific law: night thieves, thieves of clothing, kidnappers, burglars, and pickpockets. When they were caught in the act, anybody could take action against these mostly lower-class criminals through private arrests (apagoge), and could bring them before the Eleven. The usage of this procedure in “Against Euxitheos” as well as his outrage to the procedure being used against him tells us a lot about the shame around the kakourgoi.

Question 47

Dikasterion

Answer 47

In Athens, dikasterion was also the name of the numerous collegial courts.

Question 48

Dikasts

Answer 48

Judges selected for courts other than the Areopagus.

Question 49

Dike Phonou

Answer 49

Suit for murder typically brought by the decedent's family

Question 50

Moicheia/ Graphe moicheias

Answer 50

Charge of adultery referring to any seduction of a free woman under a kyrios. Detailed in the speech Against Neaera, an alleged moichos was imprisoned based on a father's right to punish moicheia committed against his daughter

Question 51

Kyrios

Answer 51

Head of the household who was responsible for his wife, children, and any unmarried female relatives. Responsible to arrange the marriages of his female relatives, provide their dowries, and represent them in court.

Question 52

Ethopoiia

Answer 52

Technique used by early students of rhetoric in order to create a successful speech or oration by impersonating a subject or client

Question 53

Politai

Answer 53

Full Athenian citizens (had Athenian citizen parents and if a man, went through the process of dokimasia

Question 54

Metics

Answer 54

Resident foreigners who had to pay a tax and have an Athenian-citizen prostates (protector)

Question 55

Perikles' citizenship law

Answer 55

451 BCE. Citizenship would be conferred only on children whose mother and father both were Athenians

Question 56

Phratry

Answer 56

A large group of people claiming similar kinship. They played an important role in determining eligibility for Athenian citizenship and all citizens and only citizens were enrolled in phratries

Question 57

Genos

Answer 57

Kinship group that was pre-Cleisthenic (before phratries)

Question 58

Deme-registration

Answer 58

Males at 18-years-old were required to register with their deme to prove citizenship

Question 59

Graphe paranomon

Answer 59

A public indictment against the proposer of a new psephisma (decree), charging that his proposal is unconstitutional. Stephanos and Apollodorus

Question 60

Graphe xenias

Answer 60

Brought to the thesmothetai and heard in one of the Agora courts. An action brought at Athens against any one who unlawfully exercised the rights of citizenship. If convicted, such a person was sold as a slave and his property was forfeited to the State

Question 61

Engye

Answer 61

pledge; one of the legitimacies of marriage

Question 62

Atimia

Answer 62

Disenfranchisement of a citizen. Such atimia could be partial or total; it could be imposed permanently by a court. A man subject to total atimia could not appear in certain public places, could not take part in public life, and could not appear in court. Is an example of the consequence of mixed marriages ca. 380

Question 63

Oikos

Answer 63

House, household, property of household, family (including relatives and slaves)

Question 64

Dike ton pseudomartyrion

Answer 64

Private tort action for false witness statements

Question 65

Epikleros

Answer 65

Female heiress if her deceased father had no sons. Athenian women were not allowed to hold property in their own name; in order to keep her father's property in the family, an epikleros was required to marry her father's nearest male relative

Question 66

Anchisteia

Answer 66

Circle of those with inheritance rights if there were no direct descendants (closest collateral relatives)

Question 67

Amphidromia

Answer 67

Ceremonial feast celebrated on the fifth or seventh day after the birth of a child. The child was given a name and preliminarily accepted by the family

Question 68

Dekate

Answer 68

Votive offerings are frequently characterized as a dekate, a gift equal to one tenth of one’s income

Question 69

Diadikasia

Answer 69

Determines the owner of the disputed property. No accusers or accused, but instead competing parties. for disputed inheritance, rival claimants, eponymous archon/dikasterion (no prosecutors or defendants).

Question 70

Dike klopes

Answer 70

Cause of action for simple theft. Dike klopes go to the thesmothetai.

Question 71

Dike blabes

Answer 71

Case for damage to property or breach of contract; a cause of action used to rectify/correct a variety of civil wrongs. Mandatory arbitration by The Forty then on to dikasterion. Case Against Kallikles, on Damage to a Farm.

Question 72

Dike metallike

Answer 72

Damage to property involving a mine which goes to the thesmothetai

Question 73

Prasis epi lusei

Answer 73

The borrower sold some property to the lender; as soon as the loan amount was paid out, the creditor became owner of the property saving as surety. The seller reserved the right, however, to redeem the property by repaying the loan within a certain deadline. Otherwise, the creditor remained owner.

Question 74

Aeschylus' Oresteia

Answer 74

458 BCE; Trilogy about Clytemnestra's murder of her husband Agamemnon, her subsequent murder by Orestes, and his subsequent court case. Athena created the Areopagus

Question 75

katadesmoi

Answer 75

Curse tablets placed into the hands of the recently deceased (particularly those who died too soon) that entreated the gods of the Underworld to make someone falter in their court case

Question 76

Erinyes

Answer 76

First time depicted in theater is the Oresteia. 3 chthonic deities who punished perpetrators against the natural order (particularly anything to do with blood). Later turned into the Eumenides

Question 77

Aristophanes’ Wasps

Answer 77

422 BCE; Wasps satirizes the litigiousness of the Athenians, who are represented by the mean and waspish old man Philocleon (“Love-Cleon”), who has a passion for serving on juries. In the play, Philocleon’s son, Bdelycleon (“Loathe-Cleon”), arranges for his father to hold a “court” at home, but because the first “case” to be heard is absurd—that of the house dog accused of the theft of a cheese—Philocleon is cured of his passion for the law courts.

Question 78

agon

Answer 78

formal competition between two people

Question 79

Philokleon

Answer 79

Character in the Wasps