Mocking the powerful is an ancient democratic custom; the #Athenians took it to extremes, judging by the way #Aristophanes mocked all known #political and cultural figures of his time.
The ancients weren't content with that though; there was #ostracism, the expelling of those thought to be influential enough to be considered a threat to democracy. No justification was required, just a set number of votes.
#NoDecorumForFascists is one of those "use it or lose it" things, like #democracy itself.
Ostraka (500 BC) in The Spurlock #Museum.
Each year, #Athenians could choose to hold an ostracism. If so, citizens could scratch the names of those they wanted banished from the city on an "ostrakon" a broken piece of pottery recycled as a ballot, which they placed in urns. The one most often named would be "ostracised" from the city (for ten years).
Life-size bull made of silver and gold sheets, dating from 4th Century BC, found in a well near the Stoa of the Athenians at Delphi.
Archaeological Museum of Delphi
- #Historical #origins of #exercise
- #ThomasAquinas influences on #economic theory
- #JackArthurJohnson 1st #Black #heavyweight #champ
- The history of #chocolate
- Only #rich #Athenians paid #taxes
- How do real #Vikings compare to the #lore?
- Some #pyramids built by #Nubian #empire in #Africa
- #Rome's #IndianOcean #trade routes
- History of #FastFood
- #England: Richard III vs. Henry VIII
These & more at:
https://flipboard.com/@curiouscurator/historicity-1ulifmstz?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=curator_share
65dBnoise
Global Museum
A.W.Ford, the Curious Curator