στρατηγός, in antiquity, an officer among the Athenians, whereof there were two chosen yearly, to command the troops of the state.

Plutarch says, there was one chosen from out of each tribe; but Pollux seems to say they were chosen indifferently out of the people. The people themselves made the choice; and that on the last day of the year, in a place called Pnyx. The two strategi did not command together, but took their turns day by day; as we find from Herodotus and Cornelius Nepos. Sometimes indeed, as when a person was found of merit vastly superior, and exceedingly famed in war, the command was given to him alone: but it was ever a rule, not to put any person in the office but whose estate was in Attica, and who had children, that there might be some hostages and securities for his conduct and fidelity. Constantine the Great, besides many other privileges granted to the city of Athens, honoured its chief magistrate with the title of Μέγας Στρατηγός, Magnus Dux.