ABSTRACT
The history of the oikos is closely related to the history of Greek land tenure in general, and there is likewise a close connection between the oikos and the klaros, the 'lot' or family estate. At Gortyna, provides that the father have power over the children and the property to divide it among them; that as long as the parents are alive, there is no necessity for division; and that if a man or woman die, their children, or grand-children, or great-grandchildren, shall have the property: so that the headship of the oikos and the ownership of the property were vested in the parent as long as he lived and wanted to retain his proprietary right. Even when he was dead, the sons need not necessarily divide the estate among them but could exercise joint ownership of the single oikos of the dead parent.
