Archon

Archon (Gk. a ruler), the name given to the magistrates who succeeded the kings in Athens. Originally the office was held for life and was hereditary, but later this was abolished and the tenure of the office limited to ten years, and later still to one year; the number of archons was then nine, the chief archon being called Archon Eponymos, who gave his name to the year; the second was styled Archon Basileus, who filled the office of high-priest; the third was called Polemarchos, who acted as leader in war. The remaining six were known as Thesmothetae, or law-makers.