The Decree of Demophantos — Athenian Law Against Tyranny Cover Image

Dekret Demofantosa — ateńskie prawo przeciw tyranii
The Decree of Demophantos — Athenian Law Against Tyranny

Author(s): JAROSŁAW ROMINKIEWICZ
Subject(s): History of Law
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego
Keywords: tyranny; tyrant; oligarchy; Athenian laws against tyranny; Decree of Demophantos

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to one of the Athenian laws against tyranny — the decree of Demophantos. It was aimed at protecting Athenian democracy against being overthrown again, and thus at preventing any authoritarian form of rule in this polis in the future. The author presents his own translation of this law, cited in Andokides’s speech On the Mysteries (1.96–98). Moreover, he supports the view of M. Canevaro and E.M. Harris, according to which the text of the decree cannot be perceived as an authentic document, being in fact a later addition to this speech. The only elements of the decree that can be regarded as genuine are those, which are confirmed in speeches of Demostenes (Against Leptines 159–162) and Lycurgus (Against Leocrates 124–127).

  • Issue Year: 45/2023
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 354-369
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish
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