Episode 214: Ostracized

Your Greek Word On A Sunday

(Intro & piano music)
Staying in ancient Greece but in more earthly matters today. This is a word that lasted all this time although the custom died within a century. In 500 BC in order to secure the safety of Democracy from politically influential citizens or corrupt politicians, a vote was established. Every year and with a two month notice (to avoid irrational action) 6.000 citizens had to vote by writing the name of the person they thought was endangering Democracy on a piece of shell or pottery shard. The person voted, was required to leave Athens for ten years. If the total count of the votes was less than 6.000 then nobody got exiled that year. Whoever did, had their assets and belongings taken care of, by family members and they still had their citizen privileges; which is why, the physical distance from Athens they should be exiled to, increased over time so, very influential people wouldn't be able to reach the city. The word came to English from Latin. In both ancient and modern Greek, the word for 'Shell' is Οστρακο (ostraco) . ΟΣΤΡΑΚΙΣΜΟΣ/OSTRACIZED.

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