Trials from Classical Athens (Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World)

by Christopher Carey (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2011

  $44.11

  The ancient Athenian legal system is both excitingly familiar and disturbingly alien to the modern reader. It functions within a democracy which shares many of our core values but operates in a disconcertingly different way. Trials from Classical Athens assembles a number of surviving speeches written for trials in Athenian courts, dealing with themes which range from murder and assault, through slander and sexual misconduct to property and trade disputes and minor actions for damage. The texts illuminate key aspects both of Athenian social and political life and the functioning of the Athenian legal system.

  This new and revised volume adds to the existing selection of key forensic speeches with three new translations accompanied by lucid explanatory notes. The introduction is augmented with a section on Athenian democracy to make the book more accessible to those unfamiliar with the Athenian political system. To aid accessibility further a new glossary is included as well as illustrations for the first time.

  Providing a unique and guided introduction to the Athenian legal system and explaining how the system reveals the values and social life of Classical Athens, Trials from Classical Athens remains a fundamental resource for students of Ancient Greek history and anyone interested in the law, social history and oratory of the Ancient Greek world.

• Used

  Paperback
  1997

  $5.58

  Trials from Classical Athens presents a selection of key forensic speeches with new translations and lucid explanatory notes, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments and a discussion of the legal issues raised. Carey offers a diverse repertory of legal case studies which deal with different aspects of Athenian law. The volume provides a unique and accessible introduction to the Athenian legal system and how the system reveals the values and social life of Classical Athens. This comprehensive book will be a fundamental resource for students of Ancient Greek history and anyone interested in the law, social history and oratory of the Ancient Greek world.