Greek Law
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The fundamental aim of this class is to make the students reflect on the elements of continuity and discontinuity between ancient and modern law and legal structure. For this purpose, a good number of lessons are dedicated to laws, institutions and cases (e.g. relationship between revenge and justice; means and function of punishment) that allow such a comparison.
Expected learning outcomes
By attending the lessons in Greek law, the students will:
- Learn the main institutes of Greek law (and in particular of Athenian law) and of the historical, political and economic reasons of their evolution
- understand the historical relevance of legal principles which were developed in ancient Greece and are still in force
- interpret the sources and provide arguments for their interpretation
- communicate their knowledge with technical terms, and use the available evidence to reinforce their arguments
- compare ancient and modern legal institutions
- Learn the main institutes of Greek law (and in particular of Athenian law) and of the historical, political and economic reasons of their evolution
- understand the historical relevance of legal principles which were developed in ancient Greece and are still in force
- interpret the sources and provide arguments for their interpretation
- communicate their knowledge with technical terms, and use the available evidence to reinforce their arguments
- compare ancient and modern legal institutions
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the course is the analysis of the most significant features of ancient Greek law, and in particular Athenian law. This analysis will also profit from a comparison with the institutions of other ancient lawcodes, first of all the Roman one, and, whenever possible, with contemporary rules.
In the first lessons we will focus on the sources of Greek law and on some of the main issues connected with their interpretation; in fact, the lack of a category of legal experts in ancient Greece has led some scholars, especially in the past, to erroneously think that, since there was no official interpretation of the laws, the Greek (and most specifically the Athenian) trial could not guarantee justice.
After this introduction, we will read some Homeric passages in order to study the origins of the most ancient institutions of the Greeks.
We will then deal with the role of the law, also as a proof, in the Attic trial.
We will then analyze the status of citizens and the problems connected with the grant of citizenship on the strict basis of ius sanguinis.
Several lessons will be focused on laws concerning offenses and crimes: e.g., homicide, seduction (moicheia), battery, impiety (with particular reference to the trial of Socrates).
The students will be asked to actively participate in some of the lessons; further information will be given during the first lesson.
All the sources (translated in Italian) will be available online, together with a synopsis of each lesson. The course is open also to the students who cannot read ancient Greek.
In the first lessons we will focus on the sources of Greek law and on some of the main issues connected with their interpretation; in fact, the lack of a category of legal experts in ancient Greece has led some scholars, especially in the past, to erroneously think that, since there was no official interpretation of the laws, the Greek (and most specifically the Athenian) trial could not guarantee justice.
After this introduction, we will read some Homeric passages in order to study the origins of the most ancient institutions of the Greeks.
We will then deal with the role of the law, also as a proof, in the Attic trial.
We will then analyze the status of citizens and the problems connected with the grant of citizenship on the strict basis of ius sanguinis.
Several lessons will be focused on laws concerning offenses and crimes: e.g., homicide, seduction (moicheia), battery, impiety (with particular reference to the trial of Socrates).
The students will be asked to actively participate in some of the lessons; further information will be given during the first lesson.
All the sources (translated in Italian) will be available online, together with a synopsis of each lesson. The course is open also to the students who cannot read ancient Greek.
Prerequisites for admission
None. None. Knowledge of Ancient Greek not required.
Teaching methods
frontal lessons and round-table debates.
Teaching Resources
Students who attend the lessons will prepare the exam on the material published online and on their personal notes (of course, also the handbook can be useful).
Students who do not attend the lessons will prepare the exam on the handbook: L. Pepe, Atene a processo. Il diritto ateniese attraverso le orazioni giudiziarie, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2019
Students who do not attend the lessons will prepare the exam on the handbook: L. Pepe, Atene a processo. Il diritto ateniese attraverso le orazioni giudiziarie, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2019
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students who attend the course should prepare their exam both on the slides published online and on their personal notes; they can also take a written test at the end of the course (further information during the first lessons).
Students who do not attend the course will prepare the exam on the handbook (L. Pepe, Atene a processo. Il diritto ateniese attraverso le orazioni giudiziarie, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2019) and will take an oral exam. VERY IMPORTANT: it is mandatory for the student to bring the handbook at the exam, since the questions could involve some of the translated passages quoted in the handbook itself.
Ability to express ideas with lexical property and critical approach will concur to a higher grade.
Students who do not attend the course will prepare the exam on the handbook (L. Pepe, Atene a processo. Il diritto ateniese attraverso le orazioni giudiziarie, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2019) and will take an oral exam. VERY IMPORTANT: it is mandatory for the student to bring the handbook at the exam, since the questions could involve some of the translated passages quoted in the handbook itself.
Ability to express ideas with lexical property and critical approach will concur to a higher grade.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: Thursday 10 am. Please always write an email in advance in order to get an appointment: [email protected]
Sezione di Diritto Romano or Teams