Bild

The Function of Witnesses in Athenian Law Courts

    Michael Gagarin

Symposion 2019, pp. 81-98, 2021/12/14

Vorträge zur griechischen und hellenistischen Rechtsgeschichte (Hamburg, 26.‒28. August 2019)

€  98,-- 

incl. VAT

PDF
X
BibTEX-Export:

X
EndNote/Zotero-Export:

X
RIS-Export:

X 
Researchgate-Export (COinS)

Permanent QR-Code

Abstract

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