nine magistrates of Athens, whose government lasted but for one year. The first of whom was called archon, or prince; the second basileus, or king; the third polemarchus, or general of the army; the other six were called thesmothetar, or lawgivers. They took an oath to observe the laws; and in case of failure, obliged themselves to bestow upon the commonwealth a statue of gold as big as themselves. Those who discharged their office with honour, were received into the number of the senators of Areopagus.