Tagus (title)

The Tagos (Greek ταγός ) in ancient Greece was the military leader of the Thessalian Confederation.

The formally non-hereditary office of Tagie ( ταγɛία tageia ) originally corresponded to that of an early medieval Duke, as it is sometimes translated in the historical literature. The combined in a covenant Thessalian poleis particular case in times of crisis for their combined army a commander. This office, however, was subjected to an increasing importance of change and was equated by various ancient writers with a de-facto ruler of Thessaly, which is why, among others, Herodotus, Thucydides and Plutarch basileus the title and later Diodorus to the Archon used as a synonym for the Tagos. The Roman author Justin cars turn the Latin word dux, from which arose in the Romance languages ​​the title of duke.

As the founder of the military constitution and first Tagos of Thessaly Federal applies the ruler of Larisa, Aleuas the Red, Thessaly into four military districts ( tetras ) Thessaliotis, Phthiotis, Pelasgiotis and Hestiaiotis one hurried whose to alternate end banns in turn should be under his command. With the acquisition of Tagie by the tyrant Jason of Pherae around the year 374/5 BC, this office was hereditary in fact connected with his family. While Jason had received or transferred in accordance with the Thessalian nomos itself this office, it took over his brothers Polydorus and Polyphron after his assassination in 370 BC in dynastic succession. Polydorus was murdered only shortly thereafter by Polyphron who wanted to expand the Tagie into a veritable tyranny over the whole of Thessaly, in the words of Xenophon. Polyphron was assassinated after only one year of his nephew Alexandros in retaliation, which in turn was murdered by an eleven-year reign of the brothers of his wife.

These conflicts had the turn of the Thessalian cities, especially the tyrants hostile, to the Macedonian king Philip II result, which was probably 352 BC recognized after his victory in the Battle of Crocus field as a new Tagos. From then on remained the Tagie and connected with her dominion over Thessaly with the Macedonian kingdom in personal union, the BC until the Roman conquest in the 2nd century BC remained. Thessaly in ancient times was especially famous for its horse breeding, and his cavalry was an important addition to the Macedonian army strength dar. Even at the Battle of Chaeronea 338 BC, it was crucial and also in the army of Alexander the Great, she played during the Asia campaign ( 334-330 BC) a prominent role.

Known by name tagoi were:

  • Aleuas I of Larisa ( late 6th century BC)
  • Scopas I of Krannon ( late 6th century BC)
  • Antiochus ( officiated by 520 BC)
  • Kineas (referred to 512/11 BC)
  • Echekratides III. (first half of 5th century BC)
  • Daochos of Pharsalus ( officiated 27 years, about 431-404 BC)
  • Jason of Pherae († 370 BC )
  • Polydorus of Pherae († 370 BC )
  • Polyphron of Pherae († 369 BC)
  • Alexander of Pherae († 358 BC)
  • Philip II of Macedon († 336 BC)
  • Alexander the Great ( † 323 BC)

The persistence of Tagie after Alexander the Great is uncertain, at least no other office holders are known by him.

Larissa Nomos (sociology) Personalunion Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC) Hellenica Alexander Demandt Hellanicus of Mytilene Fragmente der griechischen Historiker Demosthenes Inscriptiones Graecae Wilhelm Dittenberger
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