Political trials in ancient Greece

Abstract

trials can deepen our understanding of the history, constitution, law, politics and foreign policy of a society as well as of its general ethos. Political Trials in Ancient Greece concentrates on 5th and 4th century BC Athens and on Macedonia under Alexander and the first successors, with occasional glances at other Greek states. During the inspired years of the Athenian empire, through the tragedy of its collapse, to the more prosaic era that followed, most of the great names in Athenian history brushed up against the criminal law at some stage in their careers. These trials contribute important details to what we know otherwise about such important figures as Aeschylus, Pericles, Thucydides, Alcibiades, Socrates, Demosthenes and Aristotle, as well as a host of more minor characters. The Macedonian defendants include some of Alexander's generals, his court historian, his mother, and one or two of his successors. The author looks in detail at institutions as well as at personalities, exploring the jurisdiction of the Aeropagus, trials of communities, joint trials, and the personal jurisdiction of the Macedonian king, and examining in particular trials for impiety.