The book is the first comprehensive study in Russian science of ostracism - an important institution of ancient Athenian democracy, the extrajudicial expulsion of the most influential citizens from the state for a period of ten years. All main aspects of the history of ostracism are considered: the origin of this institution, the time, reasons and purposes of its establishment; the main elements of the procedure used for ostracism; the place and role of ostracism in the political system and political life of a democratic polis; factors that contributed to the demise of ostracism. Problems associated with ostracism are studied in the context of the history of classical Athens, the formation and functioning of the phenomenon of polis democracy. CONTENTS: FROM THE AUTHOR 7 INTRODUCTION 10 SOURCE BASE OF THE RESEARCH 211. Narrative tradition about ostracism 212. Monuments of a non-narrative nature. Ostraka 48REVIEW OF HISTORIOGRAPHY 85Chapter I. PROBLEMS OF CHRONOLOGY 125Chapter II. ORIGIN OF OSTRACISM 1671. About the time of adoption of the law on ostracism in Athens 1672. Ostracism before Cleisthenes? 1823. Reasons and purposes of introducing ostracism 205Chapter III. PROCEDURAL QUESTIONS 2291. General information about the ostracism procedure 2292. Is 6000 votes a quorum or a minimum? 2433. On the place of stay of those expelled according to the law on ostracism 2564. On the duration of exile 2695. On the issue of pre-prepared ostracons 281Chapter IV. OSTRACISM IN THE ATHENIAN POLITICAL STRUGGLE 2951. About some features of the political life of Athens in the 5th century. BC. 2952. The main stages of the history of ostracism in connection with the evolution of the political struggle in classical Athens 3223. The functions of the institution of ostracism in the political system of Athenian democracy and their evolution 3474. Ostracism and political propaganda 356Chapter V. ON THE TERMINATION OF THE APPLICATION OF OSTRACISM 3811. The last ostracophoria and the reasons for the exit of ostracism from usage 3812. “After ostracism” 399CONCLUSION 4091. Summary of the results obtained 4092. Towards a general assessment of the institution of ostracism 415