The Ancient Agora was the location for many public meetings, including those concerning ostracism. Each year, the citizens of Athens were asked if they wished to hold an ostracism. If they chose to do so, each would write the name of the person they felt needed to be ostracized. A person could be chosen for causing political tension, being a threat to the state, or seeking too much political power. If a person received enough votes, they were asked to leave Athens for 10 years. To cast a vote, citizens would write a name on a piece of pottery - which was more common and disposable than paper in their times.

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Aperture: f/2.7 Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Camera: Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Focal Length: 6 mm Flash Mode: No Flash Date Taken: May 30, 2008 at 4:28 AM