Archon basileus

Archon Basileus (Greek ἄρχων βασιλεύς, "king" ) was a ruler in ancient Athens. The original position of the Office is controversial; either it was in archaic times, as the first official still besides the actual King, the Basileus, established or imported into other Archontaten.

Archaic period

The office of archon basileus as well as the other, yet ten years offices were occupied by nobles. He was " high priest " of the city and thus sacred official with responsibilities in the secular realm. How exactly designed his area of ​​responsibility, is not to understand; maybe he had, similar to the Roman priests, participation in war issues.

Classical time

As with all offices of the candidates now had to be at least 30 years old. He was chairman of the Areopagus Council and thus also responsible for any claims concerning felony. In addition, he oversaw the sacred precincts and sites that offered up the sacrifice and community ran the mysteries celebrations, Lenäenspiele and torch relays. His area of ​​responsibility also corresponded to its legal powers in actions for impiety, sacrilege and illegality of the priesthood.

Swell

• Aristotle: The Constitution of Athens, trans. by Martin Dreher, Stuttgart 1993, ISBN 3-15-003010-2.