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Greek Law & Justice Draco’s reforms • Besides reforming the government, Draco also reformed law and justice • His task was to organize a set of laws and punishments that would be fairer to all Athenians. Draco’s Code of Laws • Only one of Draco’s laws survived and it deals with homicide (murder) • A court had to determine if a murder was accidental or intentional. • If the verdict was accidental, the victim’s family could grant a pardon to the accused. Where does the word “draconian” come from? • Historians have suggested that Draco’s laws were very severe. • It is from this that that we get the word “draconian” which means extremely severe or oppressive Athenian police • Athenians had foreigners police their laws. • They could not accept the idea of one Athenian policing another • They enlisted foreign slaves who maintained order (ironic because foreigners could not vote) Trial by Jury • One of the great Greek innovations was trial by jury • A Greek jury range in size from 201 to 1501 (not like today’s 12!) This made it next to impossible to bribe jurors Greek Court • There was no public prosecutor like today. Instead, citizens had to prosecute others or defend themselves, even for such serious crimes as murder. • Cases were tried in front of the jury. • Jurors expressed the disapproval or approval by shouting, stamping, and groaning throughout the trial. The verdict • The jury determined the verdict by a vote. • Each juror dropped a mussel in one of two jars (one for guilty and one for not guilty). Sentencing • Punishments varied from fines, to loss of citizenship (the right to vote), to exile or death. • Athenians did not favor imprisonment because they did not have the means ($) to keep people in jail long. 1. What contribution did Draco make to the legal system in Athens? 2. How does the Athenians’ legal system reflect the value they placed on direct democracy and equality?