ostraka

The practice of ostracism: Philochorus explains Ostracism in his Book III, sets it down as follows:

"Ostracism is as follows: The Demos takes a vote before the 8th Prytany, as to whether it seemed best to hold an ostracism. When the response is positive, the Agora is fenced off with barricades; ten entrances were left open, through which they entered according to Phyle and deposited their potsherds, keeping face-down what they had written. The Nine Archons and the Boule presided. After they added up the results, whoever received the largest number, and it had to be not less than 6,000, was required to pay the penalty: he had to settle his private affairs within ten days and to depart from the City for ten years (though it later was made five years); he still received the income from his property, but he could not come nearer than Geraistos, the promontory of Euboea. Hyperbolus was the sole undistinguished person to suffer ostracism, on account of the degeneracy of his habits, not because he was suspected of aiming at tyranny. After him the practice was abandoned, which had begun when Kleisthenes was legislating, when he expelled the tyrants, so that he might toss out their friends as well.

Greek & Roman History links


the agora


The temple of Hephaestus was located on a hill overlooking the northwestern corner of the Agora. Hephaestus, a god of fire, blacksmiths, and craftsmen shared this temple with Athena, who was also a goddess of crafts and craftsmen. The temple is located in an area occupied by many potters' shops and metal working factories.

on democracy

Its one thing to 'know' that democracy began with pottery shards in Greece, its another to walk the Agora and view the actual pieces. Apparently, the votes were preprepared, the shards being handed out like 'how to vote' cards.

Interesting that the only temple still standing is dedicated to the god/goddess of craftpersons and metalworkers isn't it?