All the archons had the power of punishing malefac tors with death ; they appointed by lots the or judges, the 0/001h7cei, or superiutendants of the games and exercises, taking one from each tribe. They had the nomination also of certain officers in the service of the state, and were empowered to inquire into the con duct and management of the other magistrates, and to depose such as were declared by the suffrages of the peo ple unworthy of holding their office.
Beside the prospect of obtaining a scat in the court of Areopagus, they were, in recompense of their •ser vices, exempted from all taxes and contributions imposed upon the other citizens for building ships of war. Those who insulted them, or committed any act of violence upon their persons, when they appeared with garlands of myrtle around their heads, the symbols of their au thority, were excluded from most of the privileges of citizens, sentenced to pay a heavy fine, or punished with infamy.
The nine archons were divided into two classes ; the three first possessed separate jurisdictions under dis tinct names ; while other six, under the title of Thesmothetm, had only one and the same jurisdiction. Before the time of Solon, the lifter of the three first archons appears to have been much more considerable than after that celebrated lawgiver had new-modelled the cons itution. They in fact enjoyed all the authority and influence of the original archons, or Athenian kings, both in civil and military affairs ; the other six being appointed in behalf of the people to protect them against the usurpations of the other archons, in the possession of their laws and liberties. Solon deprived them of a good deal of this authority, and limited them to the fol lowing functions.
The first was entitled 'itez.:ev by way of eminence, as being chief of the nine. He was also called 1776:nty..cos, because the year took its denomination from him. Thus, we read in Demosthenes, 'Aczovro5 Neoz)louc, in the archonship of Neocles. His jurisdiction extended to both ecclesiastical and civil affairs. He determined all causes betwixt married people, parents and children, and disputes relating to wills, dowries, and legacies. He took the carge of orphans, and provided tutors and guardians for them. He heard the complaints of those who had been injured by their neighbours ; punished such as were addicted to drunkenness, and took the first cognisance of the public actions that were called E;7a-/ 7exial, ;46 He kept a court of judicature in the Odeum, to decide in trials concerning provisions, and sirniliar matters. It was his duty also to appoint brry,rAnrar, curatores, to provide for the celebra lion of the feasts, called and OctevnAra, with some other solemnities. Ile was punished with death, if convicted of drunkenness during the administration of his office.
The second archon was called or king. His court of judicature was in the royal portico, where he decided all disputes between the priests and families sacred by inheritance, as tilt Ceryces and Etesbutadze. He punished all impiety and profanation of the holy mysteries or temples, assisted in the celebration of the Elcusinian and Lenman festivals, and in those of the Panathenxa, Hephzstia and Promethxa. Ile offered public sacrifices for the safety and prosperity of the com monwealth. It was necessary that his wife, who was called pzo-rAIE-G-EE, should be a legitimate citizen of Athens, and a virgin. He had also some concern in secular affairs, as he took accusations of murder, and referred them to the areopagites, among whom he had a right of voting, but was obliged to lay aside his crown, the badge of his office, during the trial.
The third of the archons was stilcd fleaEtzxex.n. It was his province to provide the children of those who had fallen in defence of their country with maintenance from the public treasury ; to appoint games in honour of those who had fallen in battle ; to offer a solemn sacri fice to 'EvvcsAtos, or Mars, and to Diana, surnamed He had also under his care all strangers and sojourners in Athens, over whom he exercised the same authority as the chief archon did over the citizens.
These magistrates were assisted by the IlEceftkot, or assessors, who were admitted into office in the same manner, and under the same restrictions.
The other six archons were denominated OecimBerat, or guardians of the laws. They received in writing complaints against persons guilty of false accusations, of calumny, bribery, or impiety. Disputes between ci tizens and strangers, and all controversies in trade, were brought before them. One important part of their function was to guard the rights of the people against the encroachments of the other magistrates, and to pre serve the purity of the laws. They preferred the ap peals to the people ; publicly examined several of the magistrates, and took the votes in these assemblies. They ratified all public contracts ; appointed days on which the judgeg were to transact business, and prose cuted those who attempted to mislead the ignorant and unwary into any act injurious to the state. They were accustomed to walk about the city by night, to maintain order and tranquillity, and punish those who were found trespassing against the public peace. From this account, it would appear that these nine magistrates together formed the council of state ; and that while the legislation remained with the assembly of the people, a great part of the administration, political, military, judicial and religious, was vested in the archons. (n)