the encyclopedia of ancient history || basileus , greece

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Basileus, Greece PETER HAARER Basileus refers to a position of authority, commonly that of absolute constitutional and hereditary monarchy (traditionally opposed to tyrannos, e.g., Arist. EN 1160 b 3, though forced). The term covers a greater variety of arrangements in different chronological and cultural contexts than the translation “king” implies. In Linear B texts, qa-si-re-u denotes a middle-ranking official below the wanax (Ventris and Chadwick 1973: 109 with 409). In Homer’s epics, basileus denotes leadership and status of various kinds, but the term is not reserved exclusively for absolute sovereignty (Finley 1956: ch. 4). In Hesiod, the “gift- devouring” basileˆes of WD 38–9 have seniority and authority, but not sole rule (West 1978: 151). The epoch to which the Homeric and Hesiodic evidence refers is notoriously uncer- tain, but for the Early Iron Age attempts to identify basileˆes among individuals who are prominent archaeologically (esp., e.g., in the Toumba Building at Lefkandi) seem unwise; the constitution of their communities is unknowable, and preconceptions imported with notions of “kingship” may limit our imagination of the prehistoric past. Similarly, ancient traditions that kingship was the oldest form of constitution (e.g., Thuc. 1.13.1, Arist. Pol. 3.14) rely on meager evidence (e.g., on Athens see Rhodes 1993: 65–79, 98–102) and deserve skepticism. By the Archaic period we do find magistrates with the title basileus (e.g., CHIOS: M&L 8), but these need not reflect relic monarchies neutered in an inexorable march toward more democratic institutions (see Drews 1983). In the Classical period, basileus is used of some constitutional hereditary premiers. However, their powers differ, so while in Macedonia (and Persia) we find absolute rule, in Idalion the authority of the pa-si-le-u-se is circumscribed by his polis (ICS 217), and in Sparta there were two basileis whose will was restricted by substantial checks. After Alexander, basileus is the term used to describe incumbents of the autocratic heredi- tary dynasties that thereafter govern most of the Greek world. In the Roman imperial period, basileus translates the Latin term imperator . SEE ALSO: Kingship, Classical Greece; Kingship, Hellenistic; Lefkandi; Macedonia; Rex; Spartan kings; Tyranny; Wanax. REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS Drews, R. (1983) Basileus: the evidence for kingship in Geometric Greece. New Haven. Finley, M. I. (1956) The world of Odysseus. London. LSJ 9 s.v. basileύς. Rhodes, P. J. (1993) A commentary on the Aristotelian Athenaion Politeia, 2nd ed. Oxford. Ventris, M. and Chadwick, J. (1973) Documents in Mycenaean Greek, 2nd ed. Cambridge. West, M. L. (1978) Hesiod, Words and Days: edited with Prolegomena and commentary . Oxford. The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, First Edition. Edited by Roger S. Bagnall, Kai Brodersen, Craige B. Champion, Andrew Erskine, and Sabine R. Huebner, print pages 1055–1056. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Published 2013 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah02032 1

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Page 1: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History || Basileus               , Greece

Basileus, GreecePETER HAARER

Basileus refers to a position of authority,

commonly that of absolute constitutional and

hereditary monarchy (traditionally opposed to

tyrannos, e.g., Arist. EN 1160b3, though

forced). The term covers a greater variety of

arrangements in different chronological and

cultural contexts than the translation “king”

implies.

In Linear B texts, qa-si-re-u denotes a

middle-ranking official below the wanax

(Ventris and Chadwick 1973: 109 with 409).

In Homer’s epics, basileus denotes leadership

and status of various kinds, but the term is not

reserved exclusively for absolute sovereignty

(Finley 1956: ch. 4). In Hesiod, the “gift-

devouring” basilees ofWD 38–9 have seniority

and authority, but not sole rule (West 1978:

151). The epoch to which the Homeric and

Hesiodic evidence refers is notoriously uncer-

tain, but for the Early Iron Age attempts to

identify basilees among individuals who are

prominent archaeologically (esp., e.g., in the

Toumba Building at Lefkandi) seem unwise;

the constitution of their communities is

unknowable, and preconceptions imported

with notions of “kingship” may limit our

imagination of the prehistoric past. Similarly,

ancient traditions that kingship was the oldest

form of constitution (e.g., Thuc. 1.13.1, Arist.

Pol. 3.14) rely on meager evidence (e.g., on

Athens see Rhodes 1993: 65–79, 98–102) and

deserve skepticism. By the Archaic period

we do find magistrates with the title basileus

(e.g., CHIOS:M&L 8), but these need not reflect

relic monarchies neutered in an inexorable

march toward more democratic institutions

(see Drews 1983).

In the Classical period, basileus is used of

some constitutional hereditary premiers.

However, their powers differ, so while in

Macedonia (and Persia) we find absolute rule,

in Idalion the authority of the pa-si-le-u-se is

circumscribed by his polis (ICS 217), and in

Sparta there were two basileis whose will was

restricted by substantial checks.

After Alexander, basileus is the term used to

describe incumbents of the autocratic heredi-

tary dynasties that thereafter govern most of

the Greek world. In the Roman imperial

period, basileus translates the Latin term

imperator.

SEE ALSO: Kingship, Classical Greece; Kingship,

Hellenistic; Lefkandi; Macedonia; Rex; Spartan

kings; Tyranny; Wanax.

REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS

Drews, R. (1983) Basileus: the evidence for

kingship in Geometric Greece. New Haven.

Finley, M. I. (1956) The world of Odysseus.

London.

LSJ9 s.v. basileύς.Rhodes, P. J. (1993) A commentary on the

Aristotelian Athenaion Politeia, 2nd ed. Oxford.

Ventris, M. and Chadwick, J. (1973) Documents in

Mycenaean Greek, 2nd ed. Cambridge.

West, M. L. (1978) Hesiod, Words and Days:

edited with Prolegomena and commentary.

Oxford.

The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, First Edition. Edited by Roger S. Bagnall, Kai Brodersen, Craige B. Champion, Andrew Erskine,

and Sabine R. Huebner, print pages 1055–1056.

© 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Published 2013 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

DOI: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah02032

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