Brill’s New Pauly

Get access

Rhetra
(758 words)

(ῥήτρα/rhḗtra, Ionian ῥήτρη/rhḗtrē, Elean ράτρα/wrátra; related to εἴρειν/eírein ('speak')).

[German version]

[1] Contract (general)

Generally 'ceremonial utterance, something said with a claim to authority', figuratively also 'agreement, contract' (e.g., Hom. Il. 14,393; Syll.3 9, Elis, 6th cent. BC), later 'resolution, law' [1. 17-22; 2. 431; 3. 120283]. The phrase εὐθεῖαι ῥῆτραι/eutheîai rhêtrai ('legal covenants') attested in Tyrtaeus fr. 1b,6 = °14,6 Gentili/Prato (2nd half of 7th cent. BC) expresse…

Cite this page
Meier, Mischa (Bielefeld), “Rhetra”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1022400>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



▲   Back to top   ▲