Units 6-7

Topic for discussion: Law: Ancient Greece and Rome.

Legal Heritage of Greece and Rome.

Solon’s law. Draco’s Code of Laws.

Grammar: Present, Past Continuous Tenses.

Ex. 1 Read the text and translate it into Ukrainian.

The first laws: Laws of Babylon.The birth of law.

The ancient Greeks were among the first to develop the concept of law that separated everyday law from religious beliefs. Before the Greeks most civilizations attributed their laws to their gods or goddesses. Instead, the Greeks believed that laws were made by thepeoplefor the people.

In the seventh century B.C. Draco drew up Greece’s first written code of laws. Under Draco’s code death was the punishment for most offenses. Thus, the term draconian usually applies to extremely harsh measures.

Several decades passed before Solon – poet, military hero, and ultimately Athens’ lawgiver – devised a new code of laws. Trial by jury, an ancient Greek tradition was retained, but enslaving debtors was prohibited as were most of the harsh punishments of Draco’s code. Under Solon’s law citizens of Athens were eligible to serve in the assembly and courts were established in which they could appeal government decisions.

What the Greeks may have contributed to the Romans was the concept of “natural law”. In essence, natural law was based on the belief that certain basic principles are above the laws of a nation. These principles arise from the nature of people .The concept of natural law and the development of the first true legal system had a profound effect on the modern world.

SOLON

Solon, the Athenian staesman, is known as one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. He ended exclusive aristocratic control of the government, substituted a system of control by the wealthy, and introduced a new and more humane law code. He was also a noted poet.

Unfortunately it was not until the fifth century B.C. that accounts of his life and works began to be put together, mostly on the evidence of his poems and his law code. Althogh certain details have a legendary ring, the main features of his story seem to be reliable.

Solon was of noble descent but moderate means, He first became prominent in about 600 B.C. The early 6^th century was a troubled time for the Athenians. Society was dominated by an aristocracy of birth, who owned the best land, monopolized the government and were themselves split into rival factions. The social, economic and political evils might well have culminated in a revolution and subsequent tyranny (dictatorship), as they had in other Greek states, but it not been for Solon, to whom Athenians of all classes turned in the hope of a generally satisfactory solution of their problems. Because he believed in moderation and

Ex.2 Translate into Ukrainian:

1. The ancient Greeks were among the first to develop a concept of law that separated everyday law from religious beliefs.

2. Under Draco’s code death was the punishment for most offences.

3. Several decades passed before solon devised a new code of laws.

4. Trial by jury, an ancient Greek tradition, was retained.

5. Under Solon’s law citizens of Athens were eligible to serve in the assembly and courts.

6. In essence, natural law was based on the belief that certain basic principles are above the laws of a nation.

Ex.3 Translate into English:

1. Греки вірили, що закони створені людьми для людей.

2. У VII ст.. до н.е. Драконт видав перший писаний кодекс законів.

3. Термін «драконівський» звичайно застосовується по відношенню до вкрай жорстоких заходів.

4. Були організовані суди, у яких громадяни Афін могли оскаржити рішення уряду.

5. Основні принципи природного права походять з природи людей.

Ex. 4 Agree or disagree.

1. The ancient Romans were among the first to develop a concept of law that separated everyday law from religious beliefs.

2. Before the Greeks most civilizations attributed laws to their ancestors.

3. The Greeks believed that laws were made by the people for the people.

4. In the 19^th century B.C. Draco drew up Greece’s first written code of laws.

5. Under Draco’s code enslavement was the punishment for most offences.

6. The term Hammurabi’s usually applies to extremely harsh measures.

7. The basic principles of natural law arise from the nature of animals.

Ex.5 Match the words in A with the words in B to make up word-combinations:

1. legal, everyday, religious, written, harsh, military, enslaving, government, profound.

2. Heritage, beliefs, hero,law, measures,decisions, effect,debtors, code.

Ex.6 Answer the following questions:

1. What does the ancient Greek concept of law comprise?

2. Why were the first laws mainly attributed to divine powers?

3. What is the origin and the meaning of the word “draconian”?

4. How do you understand the concept of “natural law”?

5. What was Solon’s contribution to ancient law?

Ex. 7 Open the brackets using Present Simple or Present Continuos Tense.

1. I (to have) a very good friend. She (to be) interested in many problems of modern life. She (not to be) at home now, she (to be) in the library. My friend (to work) on her report at the moment. She always 9to work) hard on her tasks.

2. My brother (to be) a vegetarian. He never (to eat) meat. He (to think) that meat (not to be0 healthy. He (to have) dinner now. He (to have) only vegetables for his dinner.

3. For many people the best season of the year (to be) autumn. I (to like) autumn too.

4. It (to be) September now. The leaves (to be) red and yellow. I (to watch) how they (to fall) on the ground.

Ex. 8 Translate into English using Present, Past, Future Simple or Present Continuous Tense:

1. Дивись! Підозрюваний вибігає з магазину і кричить щось.

2. Невідомий сивий чоловік з бородою тримає гаманець у руці.

3. Я зайнятий зараз. Я готуюсь до тесту.

4. Чому ти смієшся? – Я дивлюсь смішний фільм.

5. Тіна все ще спить. Вона завжди спить до 7 години.

6. Зараз вона працює, але через декілька хвилин вона закінчить роботу.

7. це телефонує активіст Віздом, він тримає підозрюваного та веде його до дільниці.

8. Сержант Рівз та констебль Добсон роззброюють злочинця.

9. Тепер ми маємо пятьох Санта Клаусів у в’язниці.

10. Вчора поліція затримала злочинців при спробі пограбувати банк.

Ex. 9 Put questions to the words in italics:

Example: The deputies are discussing the new bill. – What are the deputies discussing?

1. The suspect is wearing the red gown with white fur, red hat and gloves.

2. They are discussing the details of the crime in the office.

3. The policemen are bringing the accused out of the courtroom.

4. The reporters are interviewing the criminal.

5. Mr.Wisdom is taking the suspect to the police station.

6. He is looking rather strange: prominent red nose, full lips, plump cheeks, massive chin, heavy beard.

Ex. 10 Correct the mistakes:

1. When the telephone rang, he get up and answered the call.

2. We are sure Sam becomes the president of the company soon.

3. If the weather will be fine, we will go to the country.

4. I need your help with cleaning. Don’t worry I help you.

5. She didn’t got a ticket to the concert.

6. Her child weren’t at school yesterday.

7. Give her this note when she will come.

8. The jeanse she bought yesterday fitted her well.

9. She is watching a lot of TV every night.

10. I can’t hear them. What do they speak about?

Ex. 11 Chose the correct form of the verb in brackets:

1. Listen, the judge (announces/is announcing) the sentence.

2. I don’t understand him. He (is demanding/demands) two kilos of deer food.

3. Experts (examine/are examining) the fingerprints.

4. Huge letters (attract/are attracting) his attention: WANTED.

5. Tim (leaves/ is leaving) the house and suddenly 9sees / is ssing) the suspect right near the opposite house.

6. I (have/am having) a better idea, really the best one!

7. The clerk (checks/is checking) the copies of the documents.

Unit 8