Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

CHAPTER XII. Of the Nine Archons, &c.

THE chief of Magistrates of Athens were Nine in Number, and had all the common Name of Archontes, or Rulers. They were elected by Lots, but were not admitted to their Offices, till they had undergone a two-fold Tryal, one in the Senate-house, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and a second in the Forum, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Questions which the Senate propos'd to them, were such was these, Whether they were descended from Ancestors, that had been Citizens of Athens from three Generations? Of what Tribe, and Hundred they were, and whether they bore any Relation to Apollo, and Iupiter Her∣ceus? Whether they had been Dutiful to their Parents, had Serv'd in the Wars, and had a competent Estate (d) 1.1? And, as some are of Opi∣nion, the same Questions were demanded of all the other Magistrates (e) 1.2.

But what was more peculiar to these Magistrates, was the Oath re∣quired of them, before their Admission, in the Portico, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to this Effect; That they would observe the Laws, and administer Justice without partiality, would never be corrupted by Bribes, or if they were, would dedicate a Statue of Gold to the Delphian Apollo: From thence they went into the Cittadel, and there repeated the fame Oath.

This done, they undertook their Charge, some parts of which were to be executed by them separately, according to their respective Offi∣ces, others equally concern'd them all. They had all the Power of Punishing Malefactors with Death, were all Crown'd with a Gar∣land of Myrtle; they had a joynt Commission for appointing the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Lots, Electing out of every Tribe one; as also of Constituting the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of inquiring into the Behaviour, and Management of other Magistrates, and de∣posing such as were by the Suffrages of the People declar'd to be un∣worthy of bearing the Office, that had been committed to them (a) 1.3. And as a recompence for their Services, they were free from all Taxes, and Contributions exacted of other Citizens for the Building of Men of War, which was an immunity never granted to any besides them∣selves.

And thus much of the Nine Archons in common, I shall now speak of them in particular; only first begging leave to tell you, that con∣cerning the first Original of their Names nothing certain is recorded; but Sigonius conjectures, that the Names of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were in imitation of the chief Magistrates of former Ages, wherein the City was first Govern'd by Kings, and then by Archons; and that of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in memory of the General of the Army, an Officer usually created by the first Kings to assist them in times of War. And the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as their Name imports, seem to have been constituted in be∣half of the People, to protect them in the possession of their Laws and Liberties, from the usurpation of the other Archons, whose power be∣fore Solon's regulation of the Common-wealth seems to have been far greater; and more unbounded, than afterwards; for by that Law∣giver it was Order'd, that their Offices should consist chiefly in these Things, that follow.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so call'd by way of Eminence, was Chief of the Nine, and is sometimes nam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because the Year took it's denomination from him. His Jurisdiction reach'd both Ecclesiastical, and Civil Af∣fairs. It was his Business to determine in all Causes betwixt Men and their Wives; concerning Wives brought to Bed after the Death of their Husbands; concerning Wills and Testaments; concerning Dowries, and Legacies; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 take care of Orphans, and provide Tutors, and Guar∣dians for them; to hear the Complaints of such as had been injur'd by their Neighbours; and to Punish such as were addicted to Drunk∣enness; also to take the first cognizance of some publick Actions, such were those they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of which in their place. He kept a Court of Judicature in the O∣deum,

where Tryals about Victuals, and other Necessaries were brought before him. It was his Duty also to appoint Curators, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to make Provision for the Celebration of the Feasts, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with some other Solemnities; to take care for the regu∣lation of Stage-plays, and provide Singers, Choristers, and other Ne∣cessaries for them (a) 1.4.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, had a Court of Judicature in the Royal Portico, where h•• decided all Disputes that happen'd amongst the Priests, and the Sacred Families, such as were the Ceryces, Eteobutadae, &c. to whom certain Offices in the Celebration of Divine Worship belong'd by Inheri∣tance. Such also, as were accus'd of Impiety, or Prophanation of any of the Mysteries, Temples, or other Sacred things were brought be∣fore him. It was his Business to assist in the celebration of the E∣leusinian, and Lenaean Festivals, and all those, in which they ran Races with Torches in their hands, viz. Panathenaea, Hephaestia, and Prome∣thea; and to Offer publick Sacrifices for the Safety, and Prosperity of the Common-wealth; in several of which Duties, he had the Assistance of his Wife, whom they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, who, if not descended from a Family that was of the whole Blood of Athens, or had been Mar∣ri'd to another Husband before the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was not duly qualified for her Place by Law. Beside this, he had some concernment in Secular Affairs, for Disputes about inanimate things were brought before him; as also accusations of Murder, which it was his Business to take an Account of, and then refer them to the Areopagites, amongst whom he had a right of Suffrage, but was oblig'd to lay by his Crown, (which was one of the Badges of his Office) during the Tryal (b) 1.5.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, had under his care all the Strangers, and Sojourners in Athens, and exercis'd the same Authority upon them, that was us'd by the Archon towards the Citizens. It was his Duty to Of∣fer a Solemn Sacrifice to Enyalius, (who is by some taken for Mars, by others for one of his Attendants) and another to Diana, Sirnam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from one of the Athenian Burroughs; to celebrate the Exequies of the famous Patriot Harmodius; and to take care, that the Children of those Men that had lost their Lives in their Countrey's Service, should have a competent Maintenance out of the publick Exchequer.

But because these three Magistrates were often, by reason of their Youth, not so well skill'd in the Laws, and Customs of their Countrey, as might have been wish'd, that they might not be left wholly to themselves, it was Customary for each of them, to make choice of two Persons of Age, Gravity, and Reputation to sit with them upon the Bench, and direct them as there was Occasion. These they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Assessors, and oblig'd them to undergo the same Probation in the Senate-house, and publick Forum, with the other

Magistrates, and like them too, to give an Account how they had be∣hav'd themselves in their respective Trusts, when their Offices were expir'd.

The six remaining Archons were call'd by one common Name, The∣smothetae. They receiv'd Complaints against Persons Guilty of false Ac∣cusations, of Calumniating, of Bribery, of Impiety, which also was part of the King's Office, but with this difference, that the Accusers did only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, inform against the Impious, by word of Mouth at the King's Tribunal, whereas before the Thesmothetae, they did 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, deliver in their Indictment in Writing. Also all Causes, and Disputes between the Citizens, and Strangers, Sojourners, or Slaves, and Controversies about Trade and Merchandize were brought before them. Appeals to the People were Preferr'd, the publick Exa∣mination of several of the Magistrates perform'd, and the Suffrages in publick Assemblies taken by them. They ratified all publick Con∣tracts, and Leagues, appointed the Days upon which the Judges were to sit, and hear Causes in their several Courts of Judicature, took care that no Laws should be establish'd, but such as conduc'd to the Safety, and Prosperity of the Common-wealth, and Indicted those, that endeavour'd to seduce the unwary Multitude, and perswade them to give their Consent to what was contrary to the Interest of the Common-wealth.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were Ten Officers appointed to assist the Archons, and pass the Accounts of the Magistrates, and to set a Fine upon such as they found to have imbezzl'd the publick Treasure, or any way injur'd the Common-wealth by their male-administration. Aristotle (a) 1.6 tells us, they were sometimes call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and others will have them to be the same with the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but these are by Aristotle said to be distinguish'd from them.

Notes

• (d) 1.1

  De∣mosth. in Eubulid. Pollux Onom. l. VIII. c. XIII.
• (e) 1.2

  Dicaear•••••••• contra Aristogit.
• (a) 1.3

  Pollux ibid. Idem ubique laudatur in his capitibus.
• (a) 1.4

  Pollux Onomastic. hic & ubique, Lipsias in Aleibiadem. Demosthen. in Ma∣cartat. Suidas, Harpocration, & ubique in his capitibus.
• (b) 1.5

  Demosthenes in Lacri∣tum, & Nearam.
• (a) 1.6

  Polit. l. VI. cap. ultimo.