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)

Example Sentences

In historical times it numbered twenty-eight members, to whom were added ex officio the two kings and, later, the five ephors.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

There is no evidence for the theory that originally the ephors were market inspectors; they seem rather to have had from the outset judicial or police functions.

From Project Gutenberg

In later times, too, the actual debate was almost, if not wholly, confined to the kings, elders, ephors and perhaps the other magistrates.

From Project Gutenberg

The oligarchical faction in Athens, after the battle of Ægospotamos, and before the surrender of the city to Lysander, had also procured the election of five ephors.

From Project Gutenberg