aesymnetes

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a supreme magistrate voluntarily appointed by an ancient Greek city-state during a crisis, often with powers comparable to those of a tyrant

   The citizens appointed Pittacus as aesymnetes and granted him broad authority to end the factional conflict.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: in some ancient Greek cities, a regular civic magistrate bearing this title

   An inscription names the aesymnetes among the city's established officials.

Borrowed from Ancient Greek aisymnetes, a title first used for an arbiter or judge and later for an elected supreme ruler. The word is traditionally associated with aisa, 'allotted share' or 'due portion', reflecting an official who assigned what was judged proper.

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