in English Harmostes, were the magistrates sent by the Lacedemonians after the Peloponnesian War to administer the government among the towns which at that time fell into their power. The limits of their power and the length of their tenure of office do not seem to have been very strictly defined. Though their commission, therefore, was to prepare the conquered cities for the re-enjoyment of their ancient liberties, they were never called to give any account of their government, which was generally more harsh and oppressive than that of the Spartans themselves.