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Archon

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For other uses, see Archon (disambiguation).

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Archon (Gr. ἄρχων, pl. ἄρχοντες) is a Greek word that means "ruler" or the like, though it is frequently encountered as the title of some specific public office. In form the word is simply the masculine present participle of the verb stem αρχ- (meaning "to rule"), derived from the same root that appears in words such as monarch and hierarchy.

1 Ancient Greece
2 Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
3 Gnostic Archons
4 Other uses
5 References

[edit] Ancient Greece

In the early literary period of ancient Greece the chief magistrates of various Greek city states were called Archons. The term was also used throughout Greek history in a more general sense, ranging from "club leader" to "master of the tables" at syssitia to "Roman governor". Archōns ruled by imperium, whereas Basileus ("sovereign") are said to have auctoritas.

In Athens a system of three concurrent Archons evolved, the three office holders being known as the Archon Eponymous, the Polemarch, and the Archon Basileus. Originally these offices were filled from the aristocracy by elections every ten years. During this period Archon Eponymous was the chief magistrate, the Polemarch was the head of the armed forces, and the Archon Basileus was responsible for the civic religious arrangements. After 683 BC the offices were held for only a single year, and the year was named after the Archon Eponymous. (Many ancient calendar systems did not number their years consecutively as we do.) After 487 BC the archonships were assigned by lot to any citizen and the Polemarch's military duties were taken over by a new class of generals known as strategoi. The Polemarch thereafter had only minor religious duties. The Archon Eponymous remained the titular head of state even under the democracy, though of much reduced political importance. The Archons were assisted by "junior Archons", called Thesmothetes. After 457 BC ex-archons were automatically enrolled as life members of the Areopagus, though that assembly was no longer extremely important politically at that time. (See Archons of Athens.)

[edit] Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

From time to time, laity of the Orthodox Church in communion with the Patriarch of Constantinople have been granted the title of Archon to honor their service to Church administration. In 1963, Archons were organized into a service society dedicated to Saint Andrew. This Archon status is not part of the Church hierarchy and is purely honorary. See http://www.archons.org/ .

[edit] Gnostic Archons

In late antiquity some variants of Gnosticism used the term Archon to refer to several servants of the Demiurge, the "creator god" that stood between the human race and a transcendent God that could only be reached through gnosis. In this context they have the role of the angels and demons of the Old Testament.

The Egyptian Gnostic Basilideans accepted the existence of an archon called Abraxas who was the prince of 365 spiritual beings (Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, I.24). The Orphics accepted the existence of seven archons: Iadabaoth or Ialdabaoth (who created the six others), Iao, Sabaoth, Adonaios, Elaios, Astaphanos and Horaios (Origen, Contra Celsum, VI.31). The commonly-called Pistis Sophia (or The Books of the Savior) gives another set: Paraplex, Hekate, Ariouth (females), Typhon, and Iachtanabas (males).

Ialdabaoth had a head of a lion, just like Mithraic Kronos (Chronos) and Vedic Narasimha, a form of Vishnu. Their wrathful nature was mistaken as evil. The snake wrapped around them is Ananta (Sesha) Naga (mythology).

[edit] Other uses

The term is used within the Arab-speaking Copts in church parlance as a title for a leading-figure laity.

The term now appears fairly frequently as the title of rulers in English language fiction, television programs, and games of the science fiction and fantasy genres. Examples include the Outlanders series of science fiction novels and the comic book series, The Invisibles. It is also a common title in collegiate fraternity and sorority organizations.

In the computer game Starcraft, Archons are large Protoss of pure psionic energy, generally used as a tanker or heavy unit.

In the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, archons are an angelic race indigenous to Mount Celestia.

In the game Fable, Archon was the ruler of the old kingdom who became corrupted by the sword of Aeons.

Archon was also the name of a popular game for 1980's 8-bit computer systems where opposing teams of good and evil characters did battle on a game board somewhat similar to a chess board.

In the online game Materia Magica, Archons are the highest level players, subordinate only to the Immortals (system administrators). Achievement of Archon rank requires advancement through 240 levels of play and completion of a special quest.

One of the final areas in the video game Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra is called the Archon Cathedral. The game is known to use Gnostic and Judeo-Christian terminology as well as various terms from psychology.

Used as the title for the ruler of the Lyran Comomnwealth/Alliance and Federate Commonwealth in the Battletech Universe

Used as the title for subcommanders in both the Council and Arachnos villain groups in the MMORPG City of Heroes and it's expansion/counterpart City of Villains.

In Stargate:SG-1,Archons are similar to lawyer for the tollans(an advance race living on a planet called tollana).During Triad (trial), there are 3 archons, one for each defendant and a neutral archon, whol will be able to make the last vote, which is the deciding vote.