CHEIRŎTŎNĬA

( χειροτονία ). In the A then i an a emblies two modes of voting were practised, the one by pebbles ( ψηφίζεσθαι ), the other by a show of hands ( χειροτονεῖν ). The latter was employed in the election of those magistrates who were chosen in the public a emblies, and who were hence called χειροτονητοί , in voting upon laws, and in some kinds of trials on matters which concerned the people. We frequently find, however, the word ψηφίζεσθαι used where the votes were really given by show of hands. The manner of voting by a show of hands was as follows:—The herald said: “Whoever thinks that Meidias is guilty, let him lift up his hand.” Then those who thought so stretched forth their hands. Then the herald said again: “Whoever thinks that Meidias is not guilty, let him lift up his hand;” and those who were of this opinion stretched forth their hands. The number of hands was counted each time by the herald; and the president, upon the herald’s report, declared on which side the majority voted. It is important to understand clearly the compounds of this word. A vote condemning an accused person is καταχειροτονία : one acquitting him, ἀποχειροτονία ; ἐπιχειροτονεῖν is to confirm by a majority of votes: ἐπιχειροτονία τῶν νομῶν was a revision of the laws, which took place at the beginning of every year: ἐπιχειροτονία τῶν ἀρχῶν was a vote taken in the first a embly of each prytany on the conduct of the magistrates; in these cases, those who voted for the confirmation of the law, or for the continuance in office of the magistrate, were said ἐπιχειροτονεῖν , those on the other side ἀποχειροτονεῖν : διαχειροτονία is a vote for one of two alternatives: ἀντιχειροτονεῖν , to vote against a proposition. The compounds of ψηφίζεσθαι have similar meanings.