User:Ccsallk2022/Ancient Greek law

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Diversity of Greek Law

Ancient Greece lacked a codified law code used across the nation. Ancient Greece existed as a collection of city-states known as polis (Grk: πόλεις), all with different laws. However, numerous ideals within the various laws of the city-states were rooted in the same context, notably, cultural unity. ^[1] Ancient Greek culture advanced their own religion and language, along with various customs that were rooted in religion and tradition. From Greek culture, common bases in law emerge: δίκη ("law, justice"), κύριος ("lord, master"), βλάβη ("injury"), among other things.^[2] With the general discontinuity in law between the various city-states, Athens is typically the model provided for Greek law.

Development of Ancient Greek Law

Sparta

Though Athens is commonly cited in discussions about Greek law, Sparta also developed a lasting legal code, attributed early on to Lycurgus. Though there is controversy about the existence of Lycurgus, the first written record of Lycurgus as the Spartan lawgiver is attributed to Herodotus in the 5th century BCE.^[3] Lycurgus' biographer was Plutarch, who wrote the Life of Lycurgus in the 4th century BCE.^[4] Plutarch's work mentions that Lycurgus likely introduced the Spartans to the works of Homer, along with establishing law practices following his ventures to Crete, Asia, and Egypt.^[5] Notably, Lycurgus established two bodies in Spartan law: the gerousia and the apella.^[6] The gerousia was known as the council of elders and included the two kings, likely preparing documents concerning business ventures for the apella. The gerousia also held significant power over the judicial system in Sparta, especially in the case of the death penalty.^[7] The apella on the other hand closely mirrored the ekklesia existing in other Greek polis. The apella was the citizen-body consisting of men over the age of 30, and they voted on the proposals submitted by the gerousia. They also had the power to elect those who served on the gerousia, discussed matters of foreign policy, and helped determine succession and military powers.^[8]

Other Greek Lawgivers

In other city-states, there were also notable lawgivers. In Thebes, Philolaus of Corinth published the first law code. In another notable city-state, Corinth, Pheidon composed the first set of laws. Though the author of the law code in Megara remains unknown, it is likely a law code existed promoting Athenian-like democracy within the city-state.^[9]

Immigration

Sparta

Xenelasia was the practice in Sparta of expelling foreigners and discouraging citizens from traveling outside (from original article). Sparta, a military-based society, practiced strict isolationism from other Greek polis. Though attributed primarily to Sparta, the practice of xenelasia existed in other polis as well. During the Peloponnesian War, Pericles, an influential Athenian statesman, mirrored the practice of xenelasia practiced by the Spartans.^[10]

References