Christine Plastow is a lecturer in classical studies at the Open University, where she teaches Greek and Latin language and literature and the cultural history of the ancient world to undergraduates and postgraduates via distance learning. Her research focuses on Athenian oratory and law, and particularly the value that forensic rhetoric has as a source for social history. She also works on classical reception and public engagement through theatrical projects with By Jove Theatre Company.

"[Plastow's] book is interesting and thought-provoking, and will certainly be a useful tool for scholars of Athenian society, oratory and law." - The Classical Review, 2020"Die Arbeit von Plastow hat die komplexe Einstellung zu Gewaltverbrechen und ihrer gerichtlichen Ahndung im klassischen Athen akribisch und kompetent untersucht... Hervorgehoben zu haben, dass sie in den Augen der Bürger eine spezielle Qualität hatten, ist das Verdienst von Plastows Werk." [The work of Plastow has meticulously and competently examined the complex attitudes to violent crimes and their judicial punishment in classical Athens ... To have highlighted that they had a special quality in the eyes of the citizens is the merit of Plastow's work] - Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2021

• 1. Introduction: The Landscape of Athenian Homicide 2. The Ideology of Homicide: Shape and Usage 3. Religion, Ritual, and the Rhetoric of Pollution 4. Rhetoric and Relevance 5. Hows and Whys: Rhetorics of Intent, Motive, and Motivation 6. Conclusion

Christine Plastow is a lecturer in classical studies at the Open University, where she teaches Greek and Latin language and literature and the cultural history of the ancient world to undergraduates and postgraduates via distance learning. Her research focuses on Athenian oratory and law, and particularly the value that forensic rhetoric has as a source for social history. She also works on classical reception and public engagement through theatrical projects with By Jove Theatre Company.

"[Plastow's] book is interesting and thought-provoking, and will certainly be a useful tool for scholars of Athenian society, oratory and law." - The Classical Review, 2020"Die Arbeit von Plastow hat die komplexe Einstellung zu Gewaltverbrechen und ihrer gerichtlichen Ahndung im klassischen Athen akribisch und kompetent untersucht... Hervorgehoben zu haben, dass sie in den Augen der Bürger eine spezielle Qualität hatten, ist das Verdienst von Plastows Werk." [The work of Plastow has meticulously and competently examined the complex attitudes to violent crimes and their judicial punishment in classical Athens ... To have highlighted that they had a special quality in the eyes of the citizens is the merit of Plastow's work] - Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2021

• 1. Introduction: The Landscape of Athenian Homicide 2. The Ideology of Homicide: Shape and Usage 3. Religion, Ritual, and the Rhetoric of Pollution 4. Rhetoric and Relevance 5. Hows and Whys: Rhetorics of Intent, Motive, and Motivation 6. Conclusion

Christine Plastow is a lecturer in classical studies at the Open University, where she teaches Greek and Latin language and literature and the cultural history of the ancient world to undergraduates and postgraduates via distance learning. Her research focuses on Athenian oratory and law, and particularly the value that forensic rhetoric has as a source for social history. She also works on classical reception and public engagement through theatrical projects with By Jove Theatre Company.

"[Plastow's] book is interesting and thought-provoking, and will certainly be a useful tool for scholars of Athenian society, oratory and law." - The Classical Review, 2020"Die Arbeit von Plastow hat die komplexe Einstellung zu Gewaltverbrechen und ihrer gerichtlichen Ahndung im klassischen Athen akribisch und kompetent untersucht... Hervorgehoben zu haben, dass sie in den Augen der Bürger eine spezielle Qualität hatten, ist das Verdienst von Plastows Werk." [The work of Plastow has meticulously and competently examined the complex attitudes to violent crimes and their judicial punishment in classical Athens ... To have highlighted that they had a special quality in the eyes of the citizens is the merit of Plastow's work] - Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2021

• 1. Introduction: The Landscape of Athenian Homicide 2. The Ideology of Homicide: Shape and Usage 3. Religion, Ritual, and the Rhetoric of Pollution 4. Rhetoric and Relevance 5. Hows and Whys: Rhetorics of Intent, Motive, and Motivation 6. Conclusion