What is "petalism"

Petalism \Pet"al*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? a leaf: cf. F. p['e]talisme.] (Gr. Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.

n. (context historical English) A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. (from 17th c.)

In ancient Syracuse petalism was a form of banishment similar to ostracism in Athens. In a special vote, citizens wrote on leaves (Greek "petala", "leaves") the names of those they wished to banish from public life. In Athens, names were written on " ostraka", "shells, potsherds". A certain number of such votes could send the victim into exile. The Greek word petalismos is used by the historian Diodorus Siculus, who reports the practice in his Bibliotheca historica, Book 11.