In the late 1990s, a deposit of more than 150 broken pottery pieces was uncovered during an archaeological excavation in Athens, Greece. The shards had been used as ballots in a special kind of election conducted in Athens during the 5th century BCE. When elections occurred - once a year, at most - citizens could vote to ostracize a leader whom they believed had become too powerful or potentially dangerous to democracy. Anyone receiving more than 6000 votes was forced to leave the city within 10 days and was not permitted to return for 10 years. Once their period of exile ended, these banished politicians could, and sometimes did, return to the city. The practice lasted about 70 years, ending after 417 BCE.
What is the meaning of ostracize as used in the passage?
A. Exclude or expel from a group
B. Criticize using formal language
C. Nominate through secretive means
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The meaning of "ostracize" as used in the passage is:
A. Exclude or expel from a group
The passage describes a practice in which citizens could vote to force a leader to leave the city if they were deemed too powerful or dangerous, which aligns with the concept of exclusion or expulsion.
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