Inheritance Flashcards
What was the system of Inheritance called?
Epiklerate
What would happen if a man had a daughter instead of sons?
Property and oikos were transmitted via the daughter to his grandsons (would also go towards her dowry)
How would a man secure his oikos?
By sharing his property with his son.
What would happen if a man had no sons or daughters?
Property would go to a group of close relatives called the Anchisteia (socially unacceptable)
What would happen if a man had no children and estate passed to Anchisteia?
His oikos would die out.
If a man had no sons then he could..
..adopt a son and heir. This law was passed by Solon in early 6th century BC. Many of his laws were repressive and this one negated the female in producing a true heir.
What is an ‘Epikleros’?
A woman who is ‘with the property’. She did not inherit the property herself but could not be separated from it- the man would have to marry her.
What would happen if a man had a daughter and an adopted son?
The son had to marry the daughter to become the direct heir.
What prevented a man from marrying the epikleros for her money?
He had to have sex with her 3 times a month at least, and if he could not keep up she had the right to marry his next of kin.
Although women were excluded from direct inheritance..
..an Athenian woman could play a crucial role in reinforcing the patriarchal succession.
