Character Evidence in the Courts of Classical Athens
Rhetoric, Relevance and the Rule of Law, 1st Edition
By Vasileios Adamidis
For Instructors Request Inspection Copy
For Librarians Available on Taylor & Francis eBooks >>
Purchasing Options:$ = USD
Paperback: 9780367881757
pub: 2019-12-12
SAVE ~$9.59
Hardback: 9781472483690
SAVE ~$33.00
eBook (VitalSource) : 9781315571300
Purchase eBook
$57.95$46.36 SAVE ~$11.59 12 Month Rental - $34.77 6 Month Rental - $28.98
Other eBook Options
Find on Amazon Kindle
Find on Apple iBook Store
FREE Standard Shipping!
There has been much debate in scholarship over the factors determining the outcome of legal hearings in classical Athens. Specifically, there is divergence regarding the extent to which judicial panels were influenced by non-legal considerations in addition to, or even instead of, questions of law. Ancient rhetorical theory and practice devoted much attention to character and it is this aspect of Athenian law which forms the focus of this book. Close analysis of the dispute-resolution passages in ancient Greek literature reveals striking similarities with the rhetoric of litigants in the Athenian courts and thus helps to shed light on the function of the courts and the fundamental nature of Athenian law. The widespread use of character evidence in every aspect of argumentation can be traced to the Greek ideas of 'character' and 'personality', the inductive method of reasoning, and the social, political and institutional structures of the ancient Greek polis. According to the author's proposed method of interpretation, character evidence was not a means of diverting the jury's attention away from the legal issues; instead, it was a constructive and relevant way of developing a legal argument.
1. The Archaic Origins of Character Evidence: From Homer to Classical Athens
2. Incentives for Wide Use of Character Evidence in the Athenian Legal System
3. Greek Ideas of 'Character'
4. Methods of Providing Evidence from Character in Athenian Courts
5. Greek Perceptions of 'Personality' Applied in the Athenian Courts
6. Purposes of Character Evidence in the Courts of Athens – Predominance of Law or Rhetoric?
Vasileios Adamidis is a Lecturer / Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Law School at Nottingham Trent University. He holds a Doctorate in Law from the University of Exeter and a Master's Degree in International Law with International Relations from the University of Kent. With a keen interest in the theory, history and philosophy of law and its relation with politics, sociology and psychology, Vasileios is a proponent of the interconnection of the currently unduly fragmented social sciences.
Classical Language & Literature
Land Law
BISAC Subject Codes/Headings:
HIS002000
HISTORY / Ancient / General
What is VitalSource ?
Routledge eBooks are available through VitalSource. The free VitalSource Bookshelf® application allows you to access to your eBooks whenever and wherever you choose.
Mobile/eReaders – Download the Bookshelf mobile app at VitalSource.com or from the iTunes or Android store to access your eBooks from your mobile device or eReader.
Offline Computer – Download Bookshelf software to your desktop so you can view your eBooks with or without Internet access.
Learn More about VitalSource Bookshelf »
Bookshelf Online Browser version support »
System requirements for Bookshelf for PC, Mac, IOS and Android etc. »
Most VitalSource eBooks are available in a reflowable EPUB format which allows you to resize text to suit you and enables other accessibility features. Where the content of the eBook requires a specific layout, or contains maths or other special characters, the eBook will be available in PDF (PBK) format, which cannot be reflowed. For both formats the functionality available will depend on how you access the ebook (via Bookshelf Online in your browser or via the Bookshelf app on your PC or mobile device).
Multiple eBook Formats
An eBook version of this title already exists in your shopping cart. If you would like to replace it with a different purchasing option please remove the current eBook option from your cart.
CHOICE – Outstanding Academic Title – Award Winner
CHOICE – 2018 Outstanding Academic Title – Award Winner
Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award Winner