Arbitration in the Ancient Greek World

William J. Chriss, University of Texas

Abstract

Contemporary dispute resolution professionals tend to think of mediation and arbitration as modern phenomena, evidence of a society looking for new ways to resolve human conflict. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the ancient Hebrew wisdom literature testifies, “There is nothing new under the sun.” This article, by reference to the two earliest and best-known Greek historians, describes arbitration as used and understood by ancient Greek states in their conflicts with one another. While arbitration was practiced by other nations of the ancient world, and by private individuals as well, those subjects are left for another day.