policing, Greek
policing, Greek
- Edward M. Harris
Summary
Greek city-states made a strict distinction between public officials and private individuals and placed the main responsibility for policing crimes in the hands of officials. At Athens the Council of 500 and Areopagus had wide powers in detecting and punishing offenders; at Sparta the ephors exercised broad powers over citizens and perioikoi (members of a dependent community). There were many officials to police the Attic countryside. Greek city-states also had many officials to enforce market regulations and laws about buildings and to keep order in sanctuaries and in gymnasia. By contrast, private individuals were allowed to use deadly force in only a few very restricted circumstances.
Subjects
- Greek Law
Updated in this version
Article rewritten and expanded to reflect current scholarship on policing in Greece.
