ABSTRACT

Athenian Law and Society focuses upon the intersection of law and society in classical Athens, in relation to topics like politics, class, ability, masculinity, femininity, gender studies, economics, citizenship, slavery, crime, and violence. The book explores the circumstances and broader context which led to the establishment of the laws of Athens, and how these laws influenced the lives and action of Athenian citizens, by examining a wide range of sources from classical and late antique history and literature. Kapparis also explores later literature on Athenian law from the Renaissance up to the 20th and 21st centuries, examining the long-lasting impact of the world’s first democracy.

Athenian Law and Society is a study of the intersection between law and society in classical Athens that has a wide range of applications to study of the Athenian polis, as well as law, democracy, and politics in both classical and more modern settings.

chapter |17 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|52 pages

The administration of justice in the polis

chapter 3|22 pages

The Athenian oikos

chapter 4|25 pages

The formation and purposes of marriage

Wives and concubines

chapter 5|19 pages

The continuation of the oikos

Inheritance and succession

chapter 6|25 pages

The oikos in peril

Divorce, adultery, prostitution

chapter 7|34 pages

Criminal justice

Violence and property crimes

chapter 8|39 pages

Religion, the state and the law

chapter 9|29 pages

The safety net

Protecting those in need

chapter |6 pages

Epilogue

Athenian law as the voice of the democratic polis