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Draconian laws
Draconian laws The first written code of laws drawn up at ATHENS, believed to have been introduced in 621 or 620 BC by a statesman named Draco. Although their details are obscure, they apparently covered a number of offences. The modern adjective “Draconian” (excessively harsh) reflects the fact that penalties laid down in the code were extremely severe: pilfering received the same punishment as murder-death. A 4th-century BC politician quipped that Draco wrote his laws not in ink, but in blood.
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"Draconian laws." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Draconian laws." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Draconianlaws.html "Draconian laws." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Draconianlaws.html |
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Draconian Laws
DRACONIAN LAWSA code of laws prepared by Draco, the celebrated lawgiver of Athens, that, by modern standards, are considered exceedingly severe. The term draconian has come to be used to refer to any unusually harsh law. |
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"Draconian Laws." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Draconian Laws." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437701511.html "Draconian Laws." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437701511.html |
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