The last Forum lecture in the summer semester, on the topic “Demosthenes against Meidias”, was held on May 21, 2021 by Prof. Dr Kalliopi Papakonstantinou (Καλλιόπη Παπακωνσταντίνου) from the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki Faculty of Law. After briefly presenting the background and participants of this famous case, prof. Papakonstantinou presented the development of the events in the case in stages, explaining all the relevant legal concepts and procedures along the way. Thus, in addition to the course of the conflict between Demosthenes and Meidias, we also learned something about liturgies in Athenian law, the course of the probole procedure, differences in the conduct of the assembly (ecclesia) and the grand jury (heliaia), the significance and function of major festivals in Athens… She also raised the question of whether this famous speech was ever actually delivered in court, or whether Demosthenes agreed not to file a lawsuit in exchange for significant material compensation. Various interesting questions were also opened in the discussion, such as the notion of hybris, or the right to self-defence in old Athenian law.

More on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ForvmRomanvmPF&set=a.5538829562854596