ARCHON, ar'-chint, the name of an Athenian magistracy, instituted after the death of King Codrus, the office being at first for life, then limited to ten years, and finally one. The Archontes were nine in number, chosen only from those whose ancestors had been citizens for three generations, were without bodily de formity, and produced testimonies of their dutiful behaviour to their parents, their services to their country, and the competency of their fortune ; but after a time these qualifications were not strictly observed. They swore to observe the laws, administer justice fairly, and receive no bribes. The chief was called Arclwn E On:in:6s, as giving his name to the year ; he determined all causes between man and wife, took care of orphans, legacies, and wills, and punished drunkenness. The second, Beiegeris, presided over the priestly families, ' punished impiety, offered public sacrifices, assisted at the Eleusinian and other festivals, and sat among the Areopagites : his wife had to be of pure Athenian blood and unsullied virtue. The third, Pfflinzar'cMs, presided over foreign residents, and the families of those who had lost their lives for their country. The other six, Thesis:OW Mr, received complaints against persons accused of impiety, bribery, and ill behaviour, settled disputes among citizens, and redressed strangers' wrongs. All
the nine had the power of punishing malefac tors with death. Hadrian, before he was elected emperor of Rome, was made Archon, though a foreigner, and also Plutarch. The life Archontes, after the death of King Codrus, were — Medan, zo7o B.C.; Acastus, zo5o ; Archippus, zoz4 ; Thersippus, 995 ; Phorbas, 954; Megacles, 923 ; Diognetus, 893 ; Phere cles, 865; Ariphron, 846; Thespius, 826; Aga inestor, 799 ; iEschylus, 778 ; Alcmmou, 756. The decennial Archontes were Charops, 753 ; /Esimedes, 744; Clidicus, 7341 Hippo menes, 724 ; Leocrates, ; Apsander, 704 ; Eryxias, 694. Creon was the first annual Archon. 2. A general of Alexander, at whose death he received the provinces of Babylon. ARCHYTAS, ar-cloY -Ms. z. A musician of Mytilene, wrote on agriculture. 2. A Pytha gorean, and able astronomer and geometrician, 40o ice., son of Hestimus of Tarentum, re deemed his preceptor Plato from the hands of the tyrant Dionysius. He was seven times elected governor of Tarentum. He invented ' some mathematical instruments, a wooden pigeon which could fly, and, it is said, the screw and the pulley. He perished in a ship wreck, about 394.