Archon

Archon, the highest magistrate in Athens. The government was originally monarchical; but on the death of Codrus (q.v.), the Athenians, according to the traditional account, resolved that no one should succeed him with the title of king (basileus), and therefore appointed his son Medon with the title of archōn (ruler). The office was at first for life, and confined to the family of Medon; but in 752 B.C. the time of office was limited to ten years; and in 714 the exclusive claims of Medon's family to the office were abrogated, and it was thrown open to all persons of noble birth, afterwards by Aristides to all citizens without distinction of rank (477 B.C.). In 683 the office had been made annual, and the number of archons had been extended to nine. The first archon was styled Eponymos, and from him the year was named; to the second, styled Basileus, belonged the care of religious affairs; the third was Polemarchos, or commander-in-chief; and the remaining six, having to conduct all criminal trials, were styled Thesmothetæ, or lawgivers.