Ἄγραφα ἀδικήματα
unwritten crimes
Translated by Anne Mahoney · 27 Aug 1998 · Vetting: high · 6 revisions
Translation
[Meaning] those about which there is no written law.
Greek original
Ἄγραφα ἀδικήματα· οἱονεὶ ὑπὲρ ὧν νόμος οὐ γέγραπται.
Betacode
*)/agrafa a)dikh/mata: oi(onei\ u(pe\r w(=n no/mos ou) ge/graptai.
Notes
- Same or similar entry in other lexica; references at Photius alpha242 Theodoridis.
The headword phrase (neuter plural) is vague-looking, but it belongs in a particular context: the procedure for eisangelia ("impeachment") in classical Athens. Lexicographers on this subject defined as impeachable offences not only specific acts of treason or corruption but also "unwritten public crimes",a)/grafa dhmo/sia a)dikh/mata . Besides the present entry see, chiefly, Pollux 8.51 and Lex. Rhet. Cant., s.v. eisangelia; and cf. Aristotle, Rhetoric 1375a15. Amongst modern scholars, Rhodes (below) accepts this while Hansen (below) 16-17 and 19-20 does not; their exchanges were continued in JHS 1979 (Rhodes) and 1980 (Hansen).
References
P.J. Rhodes, The Athenian Boule (Oxford 1972)
M.H. Hansen, Eisangelia (Odense 1975)
M.H. Hansen, Eisangelia (Odense 1975)
Neighbours in Adler order
Revisions (6)
- David Whitehead
- David Whiteheadaugmented notes and keywords; tweaks and cosmetics
- David Whiteheadmodified note; cosmetics
- David Mirhady
- Anne Mahoneytranslated