Thasos’ Law on Wine and Vinegar

Abstract

This fragmentary inscription found at Thasos and dated approximately to the second quarter of the 5th century preserves the most ancient law about wine and vinegar trade in the Greek world. Since the inscription is mutilated, the prohibition prescribed in it is unknown, but if someone violated the law his wares were confiscated, whereas a fine worth of a sixth of their value was to be paid to Athena Poliouchos and Apollos Pythios and another fine of the same amount was to be paid to the delator. These measures show the public interest in wine trade in classical Thasos, allowing to compare this inscription to several contemporary documents concerning other rules about wine trade. Among the rules referred to by this inscription, there is one that forbade the use of the oath of non-involvement with the disputed facts, like similar judicial tools attested elsewhere. The Three Hundred in charge of collecting bails paid to bring a case to court was not an arm of an oligarchic government with judicial powers, but more likely a mere judicial body.