Archon Definition – What is, Meaning and Concept

Archon is a term that comes from Latin archon, in turn derived from the Greek archōn. According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), this is how the various magistrates that, after the death of the king Codro, directed the destinies of Athens.

Codro lived between the years 1089 Y 1068 prior to Christ. Until his mandate, the highest Athenian rulers were called basel. This monarch passed away, by way of tribute it was decided that no other leader should have the same title, with which the name of archon arose.

The archons, therefore, were greek governors. It is important to bear in mind that the power of the archons was changing with the passing of the story, although this institution remained in force for nearly half a millennium.

At a general level, it can be said that an archon was a authority of a Greek city. In the case of Athens, at first three archons coexisted: the Archon Polemarca (with military command), the archon basileus (concentrated on religious matters) and the eponymous archon (in charge of administering civil matters and public jurisdiction).

Later it went from three to nine archons. The three main archons were accompanied by six others, known as testatetes. Finally a secretary, with which the ten archons were reached.

It is important to mention that, in the Byzantine Empire, there were also archons. In this case the concept it could refer to different administrators, nobles, and rulers.

The Unknown Archon, meanwhile, is the name that is usually given to the man that, at the beginning of 7th century, led the Sorbs (White Serbs) from northeast of Central Europe to the peninsula of Balkans.

Finally, an archon is called a be mythological or celestial which is dedicated to the protection of people by indication of a deity.