Etched into Collective Memory

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 82–97

Abstract

This chapter looks into the constitutions of Antiquity, notably those of the Greek city states - the (old) constitution of Dreros and Athens (the Draconian and Solonian constitutions), and Rome - the twelve tables. Aristotle claims to have had access to 158 city state constitutions: every respectable city state had on. For the first time in history we see evidence that communities (cities) try to learn from examples set by other city-states. Rome, for example, sends out envoys to learn from (and copy) the Athenian constitution before enacting the laws in their own Twelve Tables

Authors 1

1. W.J.M. Voermans corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden