1. Wasps
A background

2. Wasps was produced in 422BC and shown at the winter Lenaia.
Most audience members would have been from Athens
Because of a lull in the war, Aristophanes was able to comment on the political and social ills in the city.
The focus of Wasps was the Athenian law courts
He does not attack the system itself
He does attack the people who use and abuse them for their own benefits

3. Aristophanes believes that the paid jurors used their power irresponsibly and were open to manipulation by politicians like Cleon
Most jurors were old men or retired veterans

4. The Law Courts Citizens had ultimate legal power
Any one suspected of a crime would find themselves before a jury of their peers.
Jurors were fond of hearing a case
However, did not undertake it lightly as if they lost, they would not get paid
The police (slaves) did not catch criminals
Victims were expected to force that person before the court

5. A jury was occupied by men only and citizens of Athens
As many as 1500 could sit
500 was the typical number
Number of men was too cut down on bribery
There was no judge and one juror acted as a chairmen.
There was no barristers or lawyers
No advice was given on how to vote or pass a sentence.
Defendants had to speak for themselves, unless they could afford someone to write it for them

6. Jury Pay Jurors got paid for attending jury duty
3 obols a day – not enough to live off
Payment was not liked by many participants
Attracted the poor and needy who needed money but hated been on the jury
They tended to vote harshly and see the courts as a form of entertainment

7. A Corrupt System Defendants would appeal to the juror’s sympathies
They would bring in children to cry for them
Offer them something

8. Law Court Procedure Court was expected to last for one day
Prosecution would speak first, followed by the defendant
Speech lengths were limited and timed
Jurymen would then cast one vote each by dropping a pebble in an urn – condemnation or acquittal

9. If a person was condemned, the speakers spoke again
The prosecution would then propose a punishment, followed by the defendant
Punishment included fines, loss of citizenship, loss of property, exile or death.
Imprisonment was not favoured as it cost the state money to keep them there
The jurymen would then vote for the punishment using a wax tablet
A long line for a heavy punishment
A short line for a light punishment

10. Capital Punishment Athens had various forms of capital punishment
The common form was the block, in which you are left to die in public
Poisoning was considered a privilege
Some defendants opted for voluntary exile as a way around death.