Athenian Law- a Murder's Defense

This ancient Athenian murder trial centralizes around the expectations of marriage, the role of women in ancient Greece, and the dangers a husband faces after failing to properly supervise his wife. Euphiletus stands accused of the murder of Eratosthenes, his wife’s lover. According to Athenian law, if a husband finds his wife in bed with another man, it is the husband’s right to determine what penalty the male adulterer will face. The Husband could demand he pay a fine, or even justifiably kill him. The time period of Euphiletus’ trial had come to acknowledge financial compensation as the common settlement for such offenses. Eratosthenes’ family is having Euphiletus prosecuted for premeditated murder; leaving Euphiletus to convince a jury his actions where perfectly legal. He must paint himself as the real victim, a respectable law abiding citizen forced to uphold the law and carryout the proper punishment Eratosthenes earned. All to protect the honor of his wife, children, home and name as best he could. If his defense fails in the eyes of the jury, Euphiletus will face execution.
DEFENSE
Euphiletus begins his defense by recounting the events leading up to the crime, starting with his marriage. He is sure to stress the proper supervision and responsible guardianship he took over his wife, like a respectable husband should. However once she for fills her ultimate obligation as a wife and bares him a child, she earns his trust. Euphiletus- now overjoyed with her womanly cleverness and proper management of their house hold, is convinced of her loyalty. This opening serves Euphiletus’ a key primary evidence towards his defense. The legitimacy of his marriage and his role as perfect husband are needed to boost his character. He appears law abiding, by keeping close watch over his wife once they are married. Solon’s laws on women limit the behavior of wives in particular-by expecting the husband to seclude her from society as much as possible. Wives were viewed as