Argias Graphe

Argias Graphe (ἀργίας γραφή). An action to which any Athenian citizen was liable, according to the old law, if he could not bring evidence that he had some lawful calling. The law was introduced by Draco, who made the penalty of conviction death; Solon re-enacted the law, substituting, however, for the capital punishment a fine of 100 drachmae for the first conviction, and a loss of civic rights , atimia (ἀτιμία), if the same person was convicted three times of indolence. According to Iulius Pollux, Draco did not impose a severer punishment than ἀτιμία, and Solon did not punish it at all till the third offence. See Plut. Sol.37; Poll.viii. 42.

Index Law