CLA 233 - Justice in a Pure Democracy: Searching for Equal Rights in Ancient Athens

Using speeches from the Athenian lawcourts as case studies, this course will explore how the Classical Athenian democracy handled legal disputes. How close did the Athenians come to achieving the isonomia (equality before the law) they boasted of? What legal difference did divisions between women and men, slave and free, foreigner and Athenian, immigrant and citizen, youth and adult make? To find out, we will read speeches by Aischines, Andokides, Antiphon, Demosthenes, Hypereides, Isaios, and Lysias, a sample of Greek orators employing all their rhetorical skills. 

Satisfies Historical Thought requirement.
Satisfies Classical Languages and Literature major requirement.
Satisfies Classical Studies major requirement
Satisfies Classical Studies minor requirement.
Satisfies History major requirement.
Satisfies History minor requirement.
Satisfies Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Students at all levels welcome.
Spring 2026