Adeia

The Greek term adeia corresponds to the concept of immunity as a special permission, such as safe conduct when passing through enemy territory, as well as the “immunity vote” granted in Athens by the Assembly (ekklesia) allowing the discussion of a subject which otherwise could not be discussed. The “immunity vote” was prescribed when persons with a statement to make were debarred from addressing the Assembly (e.g. slaves, metics, women, and criminals), or when the statement concerned an entrenched matter. In both cases, an Assembly competent to grant adeia required special definition as to the voting method (two votes at separate meetings before the action could be taken) and attendance (a quorum of 6000 votes).