Draconian - Definition and Overview

This article is about Draco, the Greek lawgiver from Athens. For other Dracos see Draco (disambiguation).

Draco was the first lawgiver of ancient Athens, Greece. His laws, written in 621 BC when he was archon eponymous, were particularly harsh, as the death penalty was the punishment for even minor offenses. Hence expressions such as "draconian punishment" or "draconian laws", and more generally, "draconian measures" (far-reaching).

Draco was first to codify Athenian law.

Draco's code of laws was superseded by that of Solon in the early 6th century BC.