ephor

American  

[ef-awr, ef-er] / ˈɛf ɔr, ˈɛf ər /

noun

ephors, plural ephori plural

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

Derived Forms

• ephorate
  noun
• ephoral
  adjective
• ephoralty
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• ephori
  plural
• ephors
  plural

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."