In ancient Syracuse petalism was a form of banishment similar to ostracism in Athens. In a special vote, citizens wrote on leaves (Greek `petala`, `leaves`) the names of those they wished to banish from public life. In Athens, names were written on `ostraka`, `shells, potsherds`. A certain number of such votes could send the victim into ex...
Found on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petalism
• (n.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.
Found on
http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/petalism/
Pet'al·ism noun [ Greek ..., from ... a leaf: confer French
pétalisme .]
(Gr. Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the
ostracism in Athens; but ...
Found on
http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/65
No exact match found.
