Pausanias Analysis

Passage 1.28.8

← 1.28.7 1.28.9 →

Passage 1.28.8: Athenian law courts, including the Heliaia and the Palladion

Mythic Non-skeptical

Greek Text

ἔστι δὲ Ἀθηναίοις καὶ ἄλλα δικαστήρια οὐκ ἐς τοσοῦτο δόξης ἥκοντα. τὸ μὲν οὖν καλούμενον παράβυστον καὶ τρίγωνον, τὸ μὲν ἐν ἀφανεῖ τῆς πόλεως ὂν καὶ ἐπʼ ἐλαχίστοις συνιόντων ἐς αὐτό, τὸ δὲ ἀπὸ τοῦ σχήματος ἔχει τὰ ὀνόματα· βατραχιοῦν δὲ καὶ φοινικιοῦν ἀπὸ χρωμάτων τὸ δὲ καὶ ἐς τόδε διαμεμένηκεν ὀνομάζεσθαι. τὸ δὲ μέγιστον καὶ ἐς ὃ πλεῖστοι συνίασιν, ἡλιαίαν καλοῦσιν. ὁπόσα δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς φονεῦσιν, ἔστιν ἄλλα· καὶ ἐπὶ Παλλαδίῳ καλοῦσι καὶ τοῖς ἀποκτείνασιν ἀκουσίως κρίσις καθέστηκε. καὶ ὅτι μὲν Δημοφῶν πρῶτος ἐνταῦθα ὑπέσχε δίκας, ἀμφισβητοῦσιν οὐδένες·

English Translation

The Athenians also have other law courts, but they have not reached such renown. One is called Parabyston, another Trigonon: the first is in an obscure part of the city, and only a very few gather there, while the second derives its name from its shape. Batrachion ("Frog") and Phoinikion ("Red") have their names from their colors, and one of them continues to be known as such to this day. The largest court, where most gather, they call the Heliaia. There are additional courts dealing specifically with murderers; among these is one called "At the Palladion," established to judge those who have committed involuntary homicide. And no one disputes that Demophon was the first to stand trial in this place.

Proper Nouns

Demophon (Δημοφῶν) person
Also in: 1.28.9
Athenians (Ἀθηναῖοι) person
Palladion (Παλλάδιον) place Q12882658
Heliaia (Ἡλιαία) place Q1057378
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