Now, That Really Is Draconic!

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Our word "draconic" comes from the law system established by Dracon of Athens around 620 BC. In that penal code, every single crime received the same penalty: death!

OK, that's pretty harsh.

Comments

  1. Jonathan Finegold Catalán1:39 PM

    I guess the 3-strikes rule no longer seems that draconic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PH2:50 PM

    Isn't the usual form "draconian"?

    Anyway, I think it was most, but not all, offenses. See Plutarch's Life of Solon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. gcallah3:16 PM

      My dictionary lists "draconic" as a synonym.

      "Anyway, I think it was most, but not all, offenses. See Plutarch's Life of Solon."

      My source is Ian Worthington.

      Delete

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