Draco

Flourished Seventh Century b.c.e

Athenian lawgiver

Source

The Code . Draco was responsible for creating a new set of laws in Athens around 621 b.c.e. These statutes were probably the first comprehensive written code of laws in the city. Draco prescribed death for both trivial and serious crimes, hence the word draconian is used today to describe repressive legal measures. Around 594 b.c.e. the archon Solon repealed all Draco’s statutes except those relating to homicide. These murder laws were publicly inscribed in 409-408 b.c.e. and are partly extant.

Source

Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth, eds., The Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1996).

Draco (Dragon) Long, winding n constellation, representing the dragon slain by Hercules. It extends between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, with the dragon's head near the star Vega.

Draco (active 7th century bc) Athenian political leader and lawmaker. He drew up the first written code of laws in Athens. Famous for their severity (hence the adjective ‘draconian’), the death penalty was prescribed even for minor offences.

Draco (7th century bc), Athenian legislator. His codification of Athenian law was notorious for its severity in that the death penalty was imposed even for trivial crimes, giving rise to the adjective draconian.