Archons of Athens

Background

The archon was the chief magistrate in many Greek cities, but in Athens there were three archons, the archon eponymous, the polemarch (replaced in 501 BC by ten strategoi), and the basileus (the ceremonial remnant of the Athenian monarchy).

After 683 BC the offices were held for only a single year, and the year was named after the archon eponymous. The archon eponymous was the chief archon, and presided over meetings of the Boule and Ekklesia, the ancient Athenian assemblies. The archon eponymous remained the titular head of state even under the democracy, though with much reduced political importance. 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.

Years where the name of the archon is unknown are identified as such. Years listed as "anarchy" mean that there was literally "no archon". There are various conflicting reconstructions of lists; sources for this list are given at the end. Note that the term of an archon covered two of our years, beginning in the spring or summer and continuing into the next spring or summer. The polemarch or strategoi, basileus, and thesmothetai (the six assistants to the archons) are also listed, where known.

Decennial archons

Annual archons

After 683 BC the archonship was limited to one year. Archons were chosen from the Areopagus council.

Sources