Drawing on the evidence of anthropology as well as ancient literature and inscriptions, Gagarin examines the emergence of law in Greece from the 8th through the 6th centuries B.C., that is, from the oral culture of Homer and Hesiod to the written enactment of codes of law in most major cities.

Michael Gagarin is Professor of Classics at the University of Texas, Austin. He is the author of Aeschylean Drama (1976) and Drakon and Early Athenian Homicide Law (1981).

"This is a well-constructed book. . . . Gagarin is to be commended for his coherent discussion of one of the most fundamental and difficult subjects of early Greek history."—C. G. Thomas, American Historical Review

"An excellent study of the evidence for Greek law from pre-literate to literate times. . . . The discussion of general themes and principles is supported by careful analysis of the wording of the earliest inscribed laws and references to law in literature."—Z.P. Ambrose, Choice