Draco was a very important leader in Greek history because he started Athenian politics and enhanced the laws of other politicians. He was born in around 620 B.C. and died in 590 B.C. His role as a politician took place during the 39th Olympiad. Draco was the first to begin politics in ancient Greece. This politician established the legal code with which he is identified. These laws were so strict that they were written in blood. Laws were so harsh that one of them even stated that no perfume was allowed. Draco also established the first law constitution of Athens.
Draco's laws often had the same penalties. The common penalty for most of the laws was death. No matter how unimportant the law was, this penalty would still be intact with the law. Because Draco devised politics in ancient Greece, laws in politics became common. It is important to study about Draco so that we know where and how laws in politics were derived from. He also punished trivial crimes with death, which was a very harsh punishment at that time. Later on, Solon polished Draco's laws, making them less harsh and much more suitable for the citizens of Athens, Greece.
Draco belonged to the Greek nobility called Eupatridae. He introduced the chosen Council of four-Hundred to depict the laws in the Athenian constitution. Draco's code was not the first oppression of written Athenian law, but it was probably the first comprehensive code. Treasurers were picked by people that had land worth 10 or more minas, which was the used currency. Draco was described as contemporaneous by the Council of Four Hundred. His council and himself met on a hill called Aeropagus to discuss events and complaints of the government. This big hill that was composed of rock had a second name, Mars Hill. The Aeropagus was the setting of many legendary murders. One of these murders was the murder of Poseidon's son Alirrothios. Another legend is that this rock was the site of the trial of Orestes for killing his stepmother and her boy lover, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.
The word "Draconian" came from the origins of Draco's legal code. Draco's death took place in an Aeginetan theater. His death was caused by people throwing too many hats and cloaks at him in appraisal. Therefore, he suffocated and died on the stage. Draco was a very orderly person and took care of matters patiently, but harshly. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the Athenian government and how he started the idea of placing laws in politics.
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