phylarch

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the chief ruler of a phyle, or tribal division, in ancient Greece

   The phylarch represented his tribe when the city assigned civic offices.

2. 2
   noun

   the commander of the cavalry contingent supplied by each tribe of ancient Athens

   The phylarch drilled the horsemen contributed by his Athenian tribe.

3. 3
   noun

   in the Roman East, a magistrate or leader of an officially recognized tribal division

   The provincial governor confirmed the phylarch as head of the allied tribal community.

Through Latin phylarchus from Ancient Greek phylarchos, formed from phyle, 'tribe' or 'clan', and archos, 'ruler' or 'commander'. Its historical senses reflect both civil leadership of a tribal division and command of that division's cavalry.

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