Ostracism

Ostracism is a social and political practice used by the ancient Athenians to banish or exile individuals who posed a threat to the city-state. The term originates from the Greek word ostrakon, which refers to the pottery shards used in voting.

History

Ostracism was a procedure under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used preemptively. It was used as a way of neutralizing someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant. It has been called an "honourable exile" by scholar P.J. Rhodes.

Procedure

The process of ostracism was simple: once a year, the Athenians were asked in the assembly whether they wished to hold an ostracism. The question was put in the sixth of the ten months used for state business under the democracy (January or February in the modern calendar). If they voted "yes", then an ostracism would be held two months later. In a roped-off area of the agora, citizens scratched the name of a citizen they wished to expel on potsherds (ostraka), and deposited them in urns. The citizen whose name came up the most would be ostracized.

Notable Ostracisms

Some notable figures who were ostracized include Themistocles, Aristides, and Megacles. Themistocles, a prominent Athenian statesman, was ostracized in 472 or 471 BC, while Aristides, known as Aristides the Just, was ostracized in 482 BC. Megacles, an Alcmaeonid by birth, was ostracized twice, once in 487 BC and again in 486 BC.

Modern Usage

In modern usage, ostracism is any social exclusion. The word "ostracize" has come to mean to exclude from society, or to shun.

See Also

• Exile
• Social exclusion
• Athenian democracy

External Links

• Britannica: Ostracism

Ostracism Resources
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