July 17: International Day of Justice

When you “categorically” state something, you speak in a convincing way, like a “kategoros” (“accuser”) in ancient Greece. At a trial, the indictment brought by the kategoros would make or break the case, more than evidence would. Severe incidents, like homicides, weren’t common, and had to be solved quickly, to prevent public unrest. In Athens, the courthouse was named after the hill it was situated on: “Areos Pagos”, (“Ares’ Hill”). The court had been installed by Athena herself, after the unaliving of Poseidon’s son by Ares, in revenge for the assault on Ares’ daughter Alkippe. By the first ever jury of his peers, Ares was acquitted. When a murderer couldn’t be found, sometimes the murder weapon would be convicted. The Athenean summer festival of Bouphonia was an illustration of this practice. After the sacrifice of an ox, all the participants performed a ritual where they blamed each other, until they would agree on accusing the knife. The knife was then found guilty and cast into the sea. And justice had been served.

Buphonia, South frieze Parthenon, Acropolis Museum Athens, Greece

Areopagus hill, Athens, Greece

Did you know?

• Ares had an affair with Agraulos, the daughter of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. (About Kekrops’ daughters: cfr. “Divine Inspiration”.) Alkippe was their daughter. She was assaulted by Halirothios, the son of Poseidon and the nymph Euryte. Ares then killed Halirothios and Poseidon brought Ares to trial. Ares was acquitted by a jury of all twelve Olympians.

• In Athens, impoverished citizens could earn a small stipendium by serving as juror.