Symposion 2019, pp. 81-98, 2021/12/14
Vorträge zur griechischen und hellenistischen Rechtsgeschichte (Hamburg, 26.‒28. August 2019)
In this paper I challenge the view that the main function of Athenianwitnesses was to show support for the litigant for whom they were testifying. I arguethat (like today) witnesses were called to confirm facts in the case and there is noevidence that they only lent their support to the litigant. I also argue that witnesseswere not required to use “formulaic” expressions in their testimony.
Keywords: witnesses, Athenian, law, formulaic, formalism