Law, Violence, and Community in Classical Athens
Law, Violence, and Community in Classical Athens
$46.00
USDThe theme of this book is the legal regulation of violence and the role of litigation in Athenian society. Using comparative anthropological and historical perspectives, David Cohen challenges traditional evolutionary and functionalist accounts of the development of legal process. Examining Athenian theories of social conflict and the rule of law, as well as actual litigation involving the regulation of violence, he emphasises the way in which the judicial process operates in an agonistic social field. This perspective illuminates the social dimensions of litigation and the legal regulation of violence, and helps to explain otherwise puzzling features of Athenian litigation.
- David Cohen is the author of our Law, Sexuality, and Society
- Author brings anthropological perspectives to bear on subject of Athenian law
- Author sees litigation in Athenian society as a judicial enactment of what in other societies would be the feud
Reviews & endorsements
"This is a challenging and rewarding book that further breaks the traditional mold. Instead of studying ancient law as largely an adjunct of the history of politics, by paying greater attention to the agency, interests and values of the individual, the family, and the community, Cohen's contribution marks a shift of focus in the scholarship on Athenian law--a most timely and welcome one." Richard Lim, The American Journal of Legal History
"...Cohen's new book demonstrates that the Athenian courts and their rhetoric continue to inspire some of the most provocative and methodologically interesting recent work in ancient social history." American Historical Review
"...a provocative work. All scholars interested in Athenian law and values will want to consider it closely." Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"...an excellent work that deserves to be read by all students of Greek social and legal history." Choice
"...provides an insightful and informative look at the legal regulation of violence in Classical Athenian society and the system of litigation employed by its members....The author's method of addressing the subject of society and legal issues is refreshing. The work is thought provoking in the way it looks at the Athenian legal system, but is also enlightening when considering Athenian society as a whole." Steven A. Sayles, The Celator
"This is a challenging and rewarding book that further breaks the traditional mold....Cohen's contribution marks a shift of focus in the scholarship on Athenian law--a most timely and welcome one." The American Journal of Legal History
"...Cohen presents a convincing analysis of Athenian litigation as a form of social conflict and political role playing. Includes a full and helpful bibliography of recent anthropologically oriented literature." George A. Sheets, Religious Studies Review
"Law, Violence and Community is a thought-provoking study....all will benefit from reading it." Ian Morris, Law and History Review
Product details
October 1995Paperback
9780521388375
228 pages
228 × 152 × 15 mm
0.32kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Part I. The Realm of Theory:
- 1. Law and order
- 2. Theorising Athenian society: the problem of stability
- 3. Theorising Athenian society: the rule of law
- Part II. The Realm of the Courts:
- 4. Rhetoric, litigation and the values of an agonistic society
- 5. Litigation as feud
- 6. Violence and litigation
- 7. Hubris and the legal regulation of sexual violence
- 8. Litigation and the family
- Conclusion: litigation, democracy and the courts
- Bibliographical essay
- Bibliography
- Index.
