Draconian constitution
Law code in Ancient Greece / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Draconian constitution, or Draco's code, was a written law code enforced by Draco in Athens near the end of the 7th century BC; its composition started around 621 BC. It was written in response to the unjust interpretation and modification of oral law by Athenian aristocrats.[4] As most societies in Ancient Greece codified basic law during the mid-seventh century BC,[5] Athenian oral law was manipulated by the aristocracy[6] until the emergence of Draco's code. Around 621 BC the people of Athens commissioned Draco to devise a written law code and constitution, giving him the title of the first legislator of Athens. The literate could read the code at a central location accessible to anyone. This enactment of a rule of law was an early manifestation of Athenian democracy.[7][failed verification]
Draconian constitution | |
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![]() Draco, the creator of the conceptualization and formulation of the Draconian constitution | |
Created | c. 620 BC[1] |
Author(s) | Draco |
Signatories | Athenian aristocracy[2] |
Purpose | To resolve unequal accessibility to the acquirement of legal knowledge of oral law by replacing such with a written constitution[3] |