Heliaea

a court in ancient Athens. The heliaea was established by the archon Solon in the sixth century B.C. From the middle of the fifth century B.C., with the reform of the Ephialtes, the functions of the heliaea were enlarged at the expense of the council of the Areopagus. Pericles introduced salaries for the members of the heliaea—the heliasts. The heliaea consisted of 6,000 members, selected from among all citizens 30 years of age and over. It examined both private and state matters, controlled the activities of the highest officials, and confirmed the laws adopted by the popular assembly. The heliaea’s decisions were taken by majority vote and sentences were irreversible.