This volume presents the Greek text of approximately 200 stone inscriptions, which detail the laws of ancient Crete in the archaic and classical periods, c.650-400 BCE. The texts of the inscriptions, many of which are fragmentary and relatively unknown, are accompanied by an English translation and also two commentaries; one focused on epigraphical and linguistic issues, and the other, requiring no knowledge of Greek, focused on legal and historical issues.The texts are preceded by a substantial introduction, which surveys the geography, history, writing habits, social and political structure, economy, religion, and law of Crete in this period.
Michael Gagarin is Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin.Paula Perlman is Professor of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin.
PREFACE; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LIST OF FIGURES; ABBREVIATIONS; NOTE ON CHRONOLOGY; INTRODUCTION; CATALOGUE OF TEXTS; LOCATION OF INSCRIPTIONS; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX OF GREEK WORDS; INDEX LOCORUM; SUBJECT INDEX
Recognizing that some of their conclusions are challengeable, the authors are careful to point out that they have aimed not at presenting a definitive account of the laws of Crete, but rather at providing a foundation for others to build on. Lawyers and law students especially, will certainly appreciate the almost unique perspective offered by this book on the influence of ancient Cretan culture on the development of Western concepts of law.