Religion, Politics and Law in an Attic inscription

Abstract

Religion, Politics and Law in an Attic inscription

The article aims to shed light on the complex issues of polis-religion in Classical Athens through the example of a 4th century ritual norm from Attica. According to the inscription, the priest of Apollo Erithaseos is responsible for the trees in the sanctuary,but can only impose fines on the transgressors with polis authorities (archon basileus, bule). The priest is acting according to the decisions of the council and the popular assembly, and he is required to report the violations to the magistrates, while it seems that the god/Apollo is entirely absent from the administration and maintenance of his own cult. The inscription shows how religion, politics, and law can relate to each other in a culture, where religion does not exist as a separate sphere of society.