Archon basileus

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Archon Basileus was a Greek title, meaning 'king magistrate': from the words archon "magistrate" and basileus "king" or "sovereign".

In classical Athens, the Archon Basileus was the last remnant of monarchy. Although much of their power had been filtered away to other institutions such as the Areopagus and later the Boule and Ecclesia, they still nominally held a high position in Athenian society, alongside the Eponymous Archon and Polemarch. The Archon Basileus was charged with overseeing the organisation of religious rites.

Originally the Archon Basileus was elected from the Athenian aristocracy every ten years. After 683 BC, the office was only held for a year, and after Solon's reforms, was elected from the wealthiest Athenians (the Pentakosiomedimnoi, "500-bushel men", rather than the Eupatridae, the aristocractic families). After 487 BC the Archonships were assigned by lot.

The Basileus Archon's wife had to sleep each year with Apollo (?) to ensure the cities safety. It is unsure how this was done; whether someone dressed up, or if it was a bit of a god. However, this was an important role for a woman who, according to Plutarch and Solon, were confined to the house nad of little importance.