Dokimasia
In
If, for instance, a young citizen was to be admitted among the epheboi, he was examined in an assembly of his district to find out whether he was descended on both sides from Athenian citizens, and whether he possessed the physical capacity for military service. All officials, too—even the members of the Boule, the Council of 500—had to submit to an examination before entering upon their office. The purpose of this was to ascertain not their actual capacity for the post, which was presupposed in all candidates, but their descent from Athenian citizens, their life and character, and (in the case of some offices which involved the administration of large sums) even the amount of their property.
The examination was carried on in public by the
A speaker in a public
Docimasia may also refer to the lung float test.
References
This article incorporates content from the 1894 Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, which is in the public domain.