page 27 of 50

Plot on a Map
Attica.

emporike dike., pl. emporikai dikai · A case involving emporoi, traders who import goods (especially the extra grain which was needed to feed the population of Attica). Because of the urgency of the trade, such cases had rapid and privileged access to the courts; but it is not clear whether the term emmenos, commonly used to describe them, should be interpreted to mean that the case must be completed within a month (the traditional view), or (as has recently been argued) that there was an opportunity every month to initiate such cases; it is uncertain also whether such litigation could take place only during the summer months or only during the winter months. It is possible that other special rules may have applied in these cases.

Greek: ἐμπορικὴ δίκη, ἐμπορικαὶ δίκαι.

[ back to top ]

page 27 of 50