Demosii
（
δημόσιοι). Public slaves at Athens, bought by the State.
The most numerous class were the
τοξόται or
Σκύθαι, a force of police, also called
Σπευσίνιοι, from the first organizer of the service (
Poll.viii. 131-132). Their duty was to preserve order in the assembly, courts, public
places, and public works. They were at first encamped in tents in the Agora, and afterwards
removed to the Areopagus. Certain of them were in personal attendance on officials. The corps
dated from the year of Salamis, when 300 were bought; they were later increased to 1200
(
De Pac. 5, 7;
De Fals. Leg. 173 f.).
Executioners, torturers, etc., whether police or not, were also slaves (
Poll.viii. 71). Demosii were also employed in the treasury, in subordinate places in
the assembly and courts, as checkingclerks (
ἀντιγραφεῖς）—their amenability to torture making them especially
serviceable for such duties. The State undertook their training.
In the mint were slave workmen, as also in the mines. Exceptionally, as at Arginusae,
demosii rowed in the galleys. See
Servus Publicus.
