If a motion were not of a purely political character, and technical
questions had to be considered, the Ecclesia heard the opinion of
experts, and, if the motion fell within the province of any board
of magistrates, the latter were also called upon to give their opinion.!

If no one had any further wish to discuss the motion before the
Ecclesia, the voting took place. The president might refuse to
put the question, if he considered the motion under discussion
illegal.2 The presidents could, however, be made answerable for
refusing to proceed with the voting, by an @&deass.2 The voting
regularly took place by yeiporovia, z.e., by show of hands. The
president through the herald first asked those who were in favour
of the motion to hold up their hands, and then those who were
against it. A count probably only took place when the voting
was close. A second but more unusual form of voting was by
ballot ; this was employed in the full assemblies, 7.c. at the Ostra-
kismos, in granting citizenship and adea, and occasionally in
other extraordinary cases.5 In this case two urns were placed,
either for each tribe or for the whole Ecclesia, the one for the
ayes, the other for the noes. After the voting had taken place,
the president announced the result and dismissed the meeting by
means of the herald, if there was no other business.”

The psephism of the Ecclesia was deposited in the State
archives in the Metroon; and besides this, in case further pub-
licity seemed desirable, it was inscribed on a stele, construction
placed usually on the Acropolis. In this case the °f Decrees.
