ENDEIXIS

( ἔνδειξις ), properly denotes a prosecution instituted against such persons as were alleged to have exercised rights or held offices while labouring under a peculiar disqualification. The same form of action was available against the chairman of the proedri ( ἐπιστάτης ), who wrongly refused to take the votes of the people in the a embly; against malefactors, especially murderers; traitors, amba adors accused of malversation, and persons who furnished supplies to the enemy during war. The first step taken by the prosecutor was to lay his information in writing, also called endeixis , before the proper magistrate, who then arrested, or held to bail, the person criminated, and took the usual steps for bringing him to trial. There is great obscurity with respect to the punishment which followed condemnation. The accuser, if unsucce ful, was responsible for bringing a malicious charge ( ψευδοῦς ἐνδείξεως ὑπεύθυνος ).