The third part is an enquiry into the origin and development of the legends which are found in Attic tragedy. These legends are permeated with references to homicide, and I have attempted to render less obscure and difficult the problems of blood-vengeance which they contain. As such an attempt would be utterly impossible without a previous discussion of the homicide laws of Greece, the account of these laws which I have given in the second part of the work should be regarded as a necessary preliminary to the subsequent analysis of these legends. The extent of my indebtedness to modern writers on this and kindred subjects is sufficiently indicated in the footnotes and the second section of the Index. I must, however, express, in addition, my obligations to Professor Goligher, of Trinity College, Dublin, for his kind encouragement, assistance, and advice. My best thanks are due to my friend and colleague, Mr. W. H. Porter, for his generous co-operation in reading and correcting the proofs of this work and for his valuable criticisms and suggestions. In particular, I owe to him the alteration which I have adopted, on p. 195, in connection with the restored Draconian inscription. I should like also to record my appreciation of the accuracy and efficiency of Messrs. Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co.’s Reader. H. J. T. CORK, _June 1923_. CONTENTS PAGES BOOK I POINE IN HOMER CHAPTER I SECTION I: The general principles of blood-vengeance, analysed and illustrated: modes of vengeance of modern races in the Balkans, in the Mediterranean area, and in South America: modes of the ancient Germans, the Anglo-Saxons, and the Welsh: Burgundian, Norman, Israelite systems 1-11 SECTION II: Nature of the Homeric Society: Views of Leaf and Ridgeway: feudal militarism and tribalism 12-22 CHAPTER II The Pelasgian system of blood-vengeance: current views explained and criticised: author’s view: proofs from the text of Homer: question of a distinction between murder and manslaughter, and between justifiable and unjustifiable homicide: collectivity in vengeance 23-63 CHAPTER III The Achaean system explained according to author’s theory: proofs from Homeric text: question of discrimination, amongst Achaeans, between murder and manslaughter, and between justifiable and unjustifiable homicide: no collectivity or solidarity in vengeance 64-77 CHAPTER IV