noun
- Members of a large jury or judicial panel in ancient Athens who heard and decided legal cases.
Usage: historical; plural form; singular is heliast; ancient Greek history
Examples
- The heliasts of Athens were ordinary citizens selected by lot to serve on the courts.
- Thousands of heliasts participated in the Athenian legal system each year.
- Pericles reformed the system of heliasts to strengthen democratic participation.
- The heliasts voted by casting pebbles or pottery shards to render their verdicts.
- Ancient sources describe how heliasts were compensated for their civic duty.