Contents:

Introduction

Crimes of Theft

Rule Violations

Sacrileges

Political Crimes

Unusual Crimes

Punishments

Extent of Corruption

Further Exploration

Sources

Unusual Crimes: Olympia and Delphi also hosted crimes that were more extraordinary, more unusual, than the standard thefts, rule violations, or political scandals. Many visitors to the sites, for example, desired to see victors' corpses, and many visitors even robbed their graves (Pausanius 1.35.6). There is also the case of Theagenes' enemy, who beat Theagenes' statue because his hatred for him was so great. The statue then fell on and killed this enemy, a crime resulting in the statue's banishment (Pausanius 6.6). Though an odd transaction to our modern eyes, several character traits were also deemed illegal at Olympia and Delphi. For example, cowardice and spite were both grounds for conviction (Pausanius 5.21.17; 6.6.6).


(Phlyax scene depicting unusual circumstances)

Next Section

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