(αἴδεσις; aídesis). At the time of Draco (before 600 BC) a contract concluded between the dependants of an intentionally or unintentionally killed person and the person responsible for the death, probably affirmed by an oath, on ending the dispute by paying the wergild (IG I3 104.13; Demosth. 43,57), in the 4th cent. the ex parte pardon granted by the dependants of the person killed by unintentional homicide.
Bibliography
D. M. MacDowell, Athenian Homicide Law, 1963, 123 ff.
A. R. W. Harrison, The Law of Athens II, 1971, 78.