Demarchi

Demarchi


(δήμαρχοι). The presidents of the demes (δῆμοι) in Attica, said to have been first appointed by Clisthenes when he abolished the ναύκραροι. (See Naucraria.) They were probably elected by vote and not by lot. Their duties were various and important. Thus they convened meetings of the demotae, and took the votes upon all questions under consideration; they had the custody of the ληξιαρχικὸν γραμματεῖον, or book in which the members of the deme were enrolled (Demosth. c. Eubul. p. 1317. 60); and they made and kept a register of the landed estates (χωρία) in their districts, whether belonging to individuals or the corporate property of the deme

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