Petalism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (November 2006)

In ancient Syracuse Petalism was a form of banishment similar to ostracism in Athens. In a special vote, citizens wrote on leaves (Greek "petala," "leaves,") the names of those they wished to banish from public life. In Athens, names were written on "ostraka," "potsherds." A certain number of such votes could send the victim into exile. The Greek word "petalismos" is used by the historian who reports the practice, Diodorus Siculus (Book 11.86).