What reforms did Draco make

Social Studies · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020

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Draco, an ancient Athenian lawmaker, is best known for the establishment of a legal code known as the "Codex Draconis" or "Laws of Draco" in 621 BCE. Draco's reforms were intended to address issues of law and governance in ancient Athens. However, Draco's legal code is particularly infamous for its severity. Here are some key features of Draco's reforms:

  1. Harsh Penalties: Draco's legal code was known for its extremely harsh punishments. Many offenses, even minor ones, were punishable by death. This severity led to the phrase "Draconian laws," which is now used to describe laws that are excessively harsh or cruel.
  2. Equality Before the Law: One positive aspect of Draco's reforms was his attempt to establish a legal system based on equality before the law. By codifying laws, he aimed to ensure that legal decisions were not arbitrary and that all citizens were subject to the same set of rules.
  3. Codification of Laws: Before Draco, laws in Athens were not codified, meaning that they were not written down in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Draco's contribution was to put the existing laws in writing, making them more transparent and accessible to the public.

Despite Draco's efforts to bring order and consistency to Athenian law, his legal code became infamous for its severity, and it did not fully address the underlying issues in Athenian society. Over time, some of Draco's laws were revised or replaced by other legal codes, such as the more moderate laws introduced by Solon in 594 BCE. Solon's reforms aimed at mitigating some of the harshness of Draco's laws and addressing social and economic issues in Athens.



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