Page:The City-State of the Greeks and Romans.djvu/92

68 of our early history, with various grades depending on varying wealth, and expecting rather than demanding reverence, obedience, and tribute from all men of lower station. It is an ancient and a hallowed institution, for all Basileîs are believed to be of divine ancestry, and all carry the sceptre, or rod of office; no one questions their authority; they are the best men, and it is by the inspiration of the gods that they give judgment. Their sons succeed to their wealth and influence, and are watched with loving care in their youth as the future leaders of the people. It is clear, then, that if we use the word king of the Homeric Basileus, we must bear in mind that he is rather a hereditary chieftain than a constitutional king, and that his power at home and in peace rests simply on aristocratic sentiment. It is, indeed, quite true to say that this kingship was merely the formal expression of an aristocracy, and rested on no independent basis of its own.

We must be careful to remember this in examining the nature of the powers exercised by the Homeric Basileus. These powers are generally represented as being threefold — religious, military, and judicial, — and this is in the main true; but they are very far from being distinctly outlined, and do not answer to our notions of a clear-cut