Draco's Code: First Written Laws of Athens
621 BCE · Ancient World
In 621 BCE, Athenian aristocrat Draco created Athens' first written law code, displayed on wooden tablets to replace oral laws with fixed written statutes. The code prescribed death for most offenses and primarily served aristocratic interests, including power over debtors. Solon repealed most provisions in 594 BCE, retaining only homicide laws. The code made legal standards publicly accessible and established Athens' first codified law system. Its severity originated the term "draconian" for harsh measures.
Key Figures
DracoSolon
Locations
Athens
Topics
lawancient greecejusticepunishment
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Draco written legal code established publicly codified law in Athens which Cleisthenes extended by creating democratic governmental structures Cleisthenes leads Athens
Represents an early precedent for inscribing information on wooden tablets in Greece, establishing a regional tradition that Draco would later adopt for displaying Athens' first written laws Dispilio Wooden Tablet: Enigmatic Neolithic Markings
Greek alphabet made possible the codification of laws in written form; Draco legal code of 621 BCE was among the earliest written Athenian statutes Greek Adaptation of the Phoenician Alphabet
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