The Law Tables of Gortys - South Crete

Gortys ( Gortina) The "Queen of Inscriptions"
In the 2nd century AD Gortys reached the peak of its power. The final period of glory was in the Christian period in the 7th century A.D. Gortys had a large population after the Roman conquest of Crete in 67 BC but in 796 AD the city was hit by an earthquake which almost destroyed it. Then the capital was transferred to Heraklion. The greatest highlight of Gortys is The Law Code of Gortys which is also known as the "Queen Of INSCRIPTIOS". The code dates from the mid-5th century which covers a phenomenal variety of laws. Adoption rules, marriage, divorce, inheritance rights, the social status and treatment of slaves, as well as the sale and acquirement of property are all involved in the code. The "Law Code of Gortys" is deemed to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our time.