ostracise etymology

Etymology:

• From Ancient Greek ὀστρακίζω (ostrakizō, “to write down on a piece of pottery used in voting”).

Meaning and Origin:

Ostracism is a form of political exile or temporary banishment practiced in ancient Athens. It was a way for the citizens to remove individuals they deemed a threat to the state or its democratic values.

The term ostracism derives from the Greek word ὄστρακον (ostrakon), which means "potsherd" or "piece of broken pottery." During the ostracism process, Athenian citizens would write the name of the person they wished to banish on a piece of pottery. The pieces of pottery were then collected and counted, and if there were more than 6,000 votes against a particular individual, they would be banished from Athens for ten years.

Ostracism was not considered a punishment but rather a way to protect the state from potential threats. It was typically used against individuals who were overly powerful or ambitious, or who had been accused of misconduct or disloyalty.

The practice of ostracism was eventually abolished in Athens in the 5th century BC, but the term has continued to be used to refer to the social or political exclusion of individuals or groups.

ostracise relate terms

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