lexiarch

plural lexiarchs · plural lexiarchoi

1. historicalIn ancient Athens: someone whose role it was to ensure that only citizens entered the ecclesia ("the public legislative assembly of the Athenians").

   Under the presidency of the prytanic tribe they co-operated with the six lexiarchs to control entries into the Assembly.

   1929, Gustave Glotz, translated by N. Mallinson, The Greek City and Its Institutions, London; New York, N.Y.: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.; Alfred A. Knopf, page 189

   3 more examples

   Meantime a number of the Scythian archers, under the command of a lexiarch, had stretched a rope around the Agora in such a manner, that only the street leading to the hill of Pnyx was left free—an old custom, whose sole object was to remind the Athenians, who liked to linger gossipping in the market-place, what way they were to take.

   1881, Robert Hamerling, translated by Mary J[ane] Safford, Aspasia: A Romance of Art and Love in Ancient Hellas, volume 1, New York, N.Y.: William S. Gottsberger, page 78

   After the archonship of Solon all Athenians over the age of eighteen were eligible to attend the assembly, save those who for some reason had suffered atimia (loss of civil rights). To prevent the presence of any disqualified persons, six lexiarchs with thirty assistants were present with the deme-rolls in their hands.

   1911, “Ecclesia”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, volume 8, New York, N.Y.: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., page 848

   They went through the streets and the markets, carrying vermillion cord, marking those who were late, and who could no longer come up to the lexiarch to get their attendance voucher.

   1971, Victor Duruy, translated by Joël Rosenthal, The World of the Greeks;, Geneva: Minerva, page 29