ABSTRACT
At Athens, the heiress was obliged to marry the next-of-kin as soon as she came of age, and the next-of-kin, if already married, divorced his wife in order to marry the heiress. At Gortyna, although a similar rule applied, the heiress was more favourably treated, as author see. Thus, even though it is later in date, the Gortynian procedure is more archaic than the Attic; but, as compared with Spartan custom, it represents development along the same line of evolution towards the state of affairs represented by the regulations of the Attic Code. At Gortyna immature girls were already legally considered as appendages to the estate. A need for adequate male succession explains the early marriageable age of the Gortynian heiress, and also the legal right given to the apodromos to marry the heiress in defiance of ancient custom. For, in the absence of normal heirs, it is still clearly laid down that the serfs may inherit the estate.
