Ostracized

Ostracized

Author: Emmanuela Lia May 21, 2023 Duration: 1:28

(Piano music) 

Hello and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Staying in ancient Greece but in more earthly matters today. This is a word that lasted all this time although the custom died within a century. In 500 BC in order to secure the safety of Democracy from politically influential citizens or corrupt politicians, a vote was established. Every year and with a two month notice (to avoid irrational action) 6.000 citizens had to vote by writing  the name of the person they thought was endangering Democracy on a piece of shell or pottery shard. The person voted, was required to leave Athens for ten years. If the total count of the votes was less than 6.000 then nobody got exiled that year. Whoever did, had their assets and belongings taken care of, by family members and they still had their citizen privileges; which is why, the physical distance from Athens they should be exiled to, increased over time so, very influential people wouldn't be able to reach the city. The word came to English from Latin. In both ancient and modern Greek, the word for 'Shell' is Οστρακο (ostraco) . ΟΣΤΡΑΚΙΣΜΟΣ/OSTRACIZED.

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Each week, Emmanuela Lia offers a quiet, thoughtful moment with Your Greek Word On A Sunday. This award-nominated podcast explores the fascinating journey of language, focusing on a single Greek word that has found a home in everyday English. It’s a bite-sized piece of history and connection, released every Sunday. You’ll hear more than just a definition; each episode traces the word’s path from ancient roots to modern usage, revealing how ideas and culture travel and transform across centuries and continents. Emmanuela unpacks the stories embedded within these travelling words, showing how they silently shape our thinking and link us to a distant past. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering a hidden layer of meaning in the language we use without a second thought. It’s for anyone curious about where words come from, how history echoes in our speech, and the subtle threads that connect different worlds. The gentle, weekly rhythm and focused format make it a perfect companion for a reflective morning or a calm evening, turning a simple etymological exploration into a consistent ritual of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 335

Your Greek Word On A Sunday
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