Archon

Archon (Greek ἄρχων Archon, " Ruling ", pl archons; . Ἄρχω of ArCHO " be first ", " prevail " in a figurative sense ) was originally in ancient Greece the name of a leading official. The use of the title is detectable to the Middle Ages for the Greek populated areas of the ancient world, in later times for Greek -influenced cities in the Middle East and Asia Minor as well as the Byzantine Empire and Byzantine -influenced areas for a period of about 1000 BC.

The importance of the office or title changed significantly during this period and from region to region.

Ancient Greece

At least initially, the archonship was probably the highest office of a polis. In later times it was also Archons of alliances.

Development and function of Archontats is precisely known only for Athens, see main article Archon (Athens).

As various possible areas of responsibility of an Archon are administrative, cultic- religious ( in Athens: Archon Basileus ), military ( in Athens: Archon Polemarchos ) and judicial ( in Athens: Archon eponymos ) occupied. In later usage, Archon could also simply mean "official" only.

Archons can be used for many cities and areas of central Greece and Athens -based evidence or affected States. In particular:

  • Megara ( the period of membership of the Boeotian Confederation)
  • Boeotia (initially in individual cities, such as Thebes Chaeronea and later as a federal official of the Boeotian League )
  • Locris (initially in individual cities, and later in the overall state of the Locrians )
  • Phocis (initially in individual cities, and later in Phocian Bund)
  • Doris
  • Thessaly
  • Aetolia
  • Several Aegean islands such as Delos, Ios or Thasos
  • Several cities of Asia Minor like Ephesus or Lampsacus
  • Isolated colonies on the Black Sea as Tomoi and in the western Mediterranean as Rhegium

Later use

In the epoch of the Hellenism of the title came to the East, so Archons are also managed for Greek ( and at least partially populated ) cities in Greco- Roman Egypt and occupied the Parthian Empire. From the year 21 AD copy of a letter, in which the Parthian king Artabanus II to the rulers of the city of Susa, Antiochus and Phraates, turns dates. From the time of Trajan an Archon called Pollio Soter is attested for the Egyptian Thebes.

Also in the Byzantine Empire and Byzantine- areas, the term with different meanings lived on, see main article Archon ( Byzantium ).

Classical antiquity Near East Solon Eponymous archon Doris (Greece) Reggio Calabria Artabanus III of Parthia
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