Editing Ostracism (section)

==Analogues==
Other cities are known to have set up forms of ostracism on the Athenian model, namely [[Megara]], [[Miletos]], [[Argos, Peloponnese|Argos]] and [[Syracuse, Sicily]]. In the last of these it was referred to as ''[[petalism]]os'', because the names were written on [[olive]] leaves. Little is known about these institutions. Furthermore, [[sherd|pottery shard]]s identified as ''ostraka'' have been found in [[Chersonesos Taurica]], leading historians to the conclusion that a similar institution existed there as well, in spite of the silence of the ancient records on that count.<ref name="Surikov_ch">see Surikov, pp. 121–122.</ref>

A similar modern practice is the [[recall election]], in which the electoral body removes its representation from an elected officer.

Unlike under modern voting procedures, the Athenians did not have to adhere to a strict format for the inscribing of ''ostraka''. Many extant ''ostraka'' show that it was possible to write expletives, short epigrams or cryptic injunctions beside the name of the candidate without invalidating the vote.<ref name="Surikov">see Surikov, pp. 73–80, and references therein.</ref> For example:
* Kallixenes, son of Aristonimos, "the traitor"
* Archen, "lover of foreigners"
* Agasias, "the donkey"
* [[Megacles]], "the adulterer"