THE COURTS

he Athenians probably had a justifiable reputation for being litigious. Democracy was exercised through the law courts where state officials and others could be held to), where jurors () acted as judges. For this reason, speakers constantly appealed to the jurors, for they gave the final verdict, normally through a secret ballot. Law courts might convene between 150 and 200 days of the year. Citizens would volunteer to participate, receiving three obols – half the daily wage of a skilled craftsman. The elderly were reputed as being particularly attracted to this activity. The punishment for a guilty verdict would also be decided by the jury – that is, if the penalty was not already fixed.