Interesting note about ostracons. The word is ancient Greek and is connected to the word ostracize. When the Greeks were first developing democracy as a form of government there were 10 tribes on the council. Each tribe sent 50 people to represent them on the council. However, if people didn't like a member of the council then they needed 6000 votes to get them banished from Athens for 10 years. They voted by writing the names on potsherds or ostracons. This is the origin of the word ostracize.
Source: Gregory S. Aldrete, Ph.D. 2011. Courses The History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. The Teaching Company
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