Democratic Law in Classical Athens

Michael Gagarin is the James R. Dougherty, Jr. Centennial Professor of Classics Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin. His books include, most recently, The Laws of Ancient Crete, c. 650–400 BCE (with Paula Perlman).

Backed by many years of research in the field of Greek law, the author systematically demonstrates the many ways in which the Athenians ensured that their legal system upheld both the rule of law and democratic ideals and shows clearly that the Athenian legal system was one that achieved its aims and worked as intended in the context in which it developed...Gagarin’s latest work is, as always, accessible and coherent while remaining precise and incisive. It will be a valuable introduction to the Athenian legal system for many and a useful addition to the libraries of scholars and students working on the Athenian democracy. (Polis) [Democratic Law in Classical Athens] does a very good and interesting job of exploring the Athenian judicial system in its wider civic context. (Sehepunkte) [Democratic Law in Classical Athens] is a discerning overview of the workings of the Athenian judicial system with a crucial emphasis on the context of ancient democracy and culture. The writing is lucid, thorough, meticulously footnoted, well illustrated with copious ancient examples and informative for scholars of all levels...We must always remember that the ancients were regular people with a culture, world view and practice of self-government far different from our own. In constructing this rich and dynamic social setting Gagarin shines. (Classical Review) "Gagarin’s argument is characteristically nuanced and persuasive, grounded in the sources and in a deep understanding of the operation of law both in Classical Athens and more widely in Archaic and Classical Greece. The book’s thoughtful discussion will make it a valuable addition to the collections of scholars and students of Athenian law and democracy, and it is likely to serve as a clear and accessible introduction to the subject for many." (Journal of Hellenic Studies) Apart from being well-written and easily comprehended, Gagarin’s latest work is worth reading above all for his courage in tackling the much-debated issue of  the effectiveness of the Athenian legal system. The author’s intelligent employment of comparisons between legal practices in Athens and in modern states, which helps him demonstrate the high degree of efficiency of the Athenian legal system, brings studies on Athenian law closer to comparative legal studies and, thus, to a readership not limited only to classicists...readers who are open to discovering a new perspective on Athenian law will be made to feel at ease by the clarity of his thought. (Bryn Mawr Classical Review) [Democratic Law in Classical Athens] provides an excellent overview of the relationship between law and democracy in Athens and serves as a testament to the great care and judgment with which Gagarin has studied the subject over many years. (Mouseion: Journal of the Classical Association of Canada)

• PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1. DemocracyChapter 2. PerformanceChapter 3. NegotiationChapter 4. RhetoricChapter 5. Rules and RelevanceChapter 6. JusticeChapter 7. Public InterestChapter 8. The Rule of LawConclusionBibliographyIndex LocorumGeneral Index