anakrisis

In ancient Greek law, anakrisis referred to the preliminary examination of parties in a civil lawsuit. This process often involved interrogation and inquiry, and in some instances, torture was used to ascertain the truth. The term originates from the Greek word anakrinein, meaning to examine or interrogate.12

In Athens, the anakrisis was a crucial step conducted by magistrates before a case proceeded to trial. This preliminary hearing determined the validity of claims and arranged for trials before popular courts or public arbitrators. The legal systems of ancient Greece, particularly Athenian law, were characterized by written statutes and a multiplicity of independent city-states, each with its own laws. However, unlike Roman law, Greek law did not achieve the same level of doctrinal refinement.2