In classical Greece, Dokimasia was the name used at Athens to denote the process of ascertaining the capacity of the citizens for the exercise of public rights and duties. This article describes the ancient classical period: for the classical period in music (second half of the 18th century): see Classical music era. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital and the largest city of Greece. ...

If, for instance, a young citizen was to be admitted among the Ephebi (q.v.), he was examined in an assembly of his district to find out whether he was descended on both sides from Athenian citizens, and whether he possessed the physical capacity for military service. All officials, too--even the members of the Senate--had to submit to an examination before entering upon their office. The purpose of this was to ascertain, not their actual capacity for the post, which was presupposed in all candidates, but their descent from Athenian citizens, their life and character, and (in the case of some offices which involved the administration of large sums) even the amount of their property.

The examination was carried on in public by the archons in the presence of the Senate, and any one present had the right to raise objections. If such objections were held to be valid the candidate was rejected; but he had the right to appeal to the decision of a court, which would take cognizance of the matter in judicial form. On the other hand, if he were accepted, any one who thought his claims insufficient had the right of instituting judicial proceedings against him. If the decision was adverse he would lose his office, and was further liable to punishment varying according to the offence charged against him--which might be, for instance, that of unlawfully assuming the rights of a citizen.

A speaker in a public assembly might thus be brought before a court by any citizen, for no one not possessed of the full right of citizenship could legally address the people. The question might thus be raised whether the orator were not actually atimos, or guilty of an offence which involved atimia. Atimia was a form of disenfranchisement used under classical Athenian democracy. ...

This article incorporates content from the 1894 Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, which is in the public domain. 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...