ephor

American  

[ef-awr, ef-er] / ˈɛf ɔr, ˈɛf ər /

noun

plural

ephors, ephori

1. one of a body of magistrates in various ancient Dorian states, especially at Sparta, where a body of five was elected annually by the people.

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ephor British  

/ ˈɛfɔː /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) one of a board of senior magistrates in any of several Dorian states, esp the five Spartan ephors, who were elected by vote of all full citizens and who wielded effective power

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Other Word Forms

• ephoral adjective
• ephoralty noun
• ephorate noun

Etymology

Origin of ephor

1580–90; < Latin ephorus < Greek éphoros overseer, guardian, ruler (Compare ephorân to look over, equivalent to ep- ep- + horân to see, look)

Explanation

In ancient Sparta, an ephor was an elected official who shared power with the two Spartan kings. An election was held each year to choose the five ephors who, along with the two kings, held executive power over the citizens of Sparta. Ephors were only allowed to serve one term, but their authority was far-reaching. Among many other duties, they filled in for an absent king, mediated between the monarchs, and could even arrest a king and try him in court. The Greek root of ephor means "overseer."

Example Sentences

With these words he, as ephor, himself put the question to the assembly of the Lacedaemonians.

From The History of the Peloponnesian War by Crawley, Richard

Thucydides, at the opening of his second book, fixes his main date by the year of the priestess of Hera at Argos, by the Spartan ephor, and by the Athenian archon.

From Problems in Greek history by Mahaffy, John Pentland

The same ephor asked him, whether now at least he did not repent his rashness.

From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Clough, Arthur Hugh

Returning to Athens he was made ephor by the oligarchical party; and he was the most cruel and unscrupulous of the Thirty Tyrants who in 404 were appointed by the Lacedaemonians.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

He gave it out also, that he was to continue ephor the ensuing year.

From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Clough, Arthur Hugh