The paper discusses the development of the traditional genre of lament for the deed in Greek antiquity, that is possible to follow since the earliest written traces (of oral tradition such as Iliad) all up to Modern Greek times. However, focus of the paper is made on the development of this female oral genre and restrictive laws and measurements against this traditional form as a consequence of the formation of the first Greek city-states. What were these measurements like, who were they aimed against and why was it necessary to control ritual lament? Was this control successful?.