List of Athens Archons

The Archon in Athens is the highest official in Athens , where this post appeared during the Basileus . According to legend, in the XI century BC. e. tsarist power was abolished and representatives of the tsarist family of Codrid became archon for life. In the middle of the VIII century BC. e. access to this post was received by the Eupatrides and the term of authority of the archon was reduced to 10 years, and from the first half of the VII century BC e. - up to one year.

The most ancient were the posts of the first archon eponym (the head of the executive branch, he was named after the year), the second archon basileus (who was in charge of the cult), the third archon polemarch (he was a military leader). Around the middle of the VII century BC. e. Six more Fesmofet archons with judicial functions were added. All nine archons constituted a college of senior officials. After the reforms of Solon ( VI century BC. E. ), members of the highest property category - pentakosiomedimy , later - also hippies , that is, horsemen (second rank), from 457/456 BC could become archons. e. - Zeusites (third rank). College of Archons in the 5th century BC e. lost its political significance, remaining as an honorary body that performed various public duties, until the end of the 5th century. n e. In the classical era, the election of archons was held by lot