Subject: Re: NOMOS
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 98 01:12:37 -0000


Dear Michael,

>Does anyone know the meaning of the Greek word "NOMOS"? I can't find it in
>my crumby Greek dictionary.

Assuming that the accent is on the first 'o', I copy from the Liddell 
Scott:
"that which is in habitual practice, use or possession [...] usage, 
custom [...] generally, law [also in modern Greek]". It might interest 
you to refer to Plato's 'Crito' (I think), where, for Socrates, the 
'nomoi' (human laws but of divine nature) are the quintessence of the 
'polis'. For Heraclitus, "The people ought to fight for the 'nomos' as 
for the walls of their city". (frag.44). 

I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Styliane Philippou


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