Draco's Laws were not Draconian

We all know the word 'Draconian' which refers to ambiguous, harsh and unforgiving legal sanctions often enforced by a government. When we see legal provisions which enable the government to arrest anyone, whoever criticises the state policy, call such provisions draconian.

However, this pessimistic word is actually derived from the name of a man whose contribution to ensure human rights by law. He is remembered even after thousands of years. Draco, born in 7th century B.C. was an ancient Greek lawmaker. He is the first legislator in the recorded history who established a written law at the time when oral orders of the kings and the ruling elites were observed as laws. Draco was democratically elected by the Athenians to formulate laws to rule the city state of Athens.

He codified all the laws on wooden tablets and posted hundreds of such tablets all around the city walls so that no citizens would be unaware of the laws through which they would be bound. Citizens also enjoyed the rights to debate on the provisions formulated by Draco. His intention behind codifying and circulating the laws was to prevent unlawful punishment and despotism. Although Draco is best remembered for this contribution to establish citizen's rights, his name has been strangely entwined with the harsh, unforgiving legal provisions.