6
Suppose someone commits a religious offence. There is the method of public prosecution before the King-Archon. Or he maltreats his parents. The Archon presides over his case. Someone makes illegal proposals in the city. There is the board of Thesmothetae ready. Perhaps he does something involving summary arrest. You have the authority of the Eleven.The King-Archon, who supervised all religious ceremonies of state, judged all cases connected with religion, while the Archon himself dealt with family law. (See Aristot. Ath. Pol. 57.2 and Aristot. Ath. Pol. 56.6.) For the Thesmothetae compare Hyp. 1.12 and note. Summary arrest could be legally employed against three classes of criminal. Of these, two were tried by the Eleven and one by the Thesmothetae. (See Aristot. Ath. Po1. 52.1.) Similarly, to deal with every other offence you have established laws, offices, and courts appropriate to each.
7
In what cases then do you think impeachments should be used? Your answer has already been embodied in detail in the law, so as to leave no room for doubt. If any person, it says, seeks to overthrow the democracy of the Athenians. Naturally, gentlemen of the jury; for a charge like that admits of no excuse from anyone nor of an oath for postponement.A man due to be tried could offer the court an excuse (σκῆφις) and provide a second party to take an oath (ὑπωμοσία) that this excuse was true. In such cases the jury might grant a postponement. It should come directly into court.
