apodectae

APODECTAE(ἀποδέκται), the Receivers, were public officers at Athens, who were introduced by Cleisthenes in the place of the ancient Colacretae (κωλακρέται). They were ten in number, one for each tribe, appointed by lot; and they exercised a general control over the other officers of the revenue. Their duty was to receive all the ordinary taxes and distribute them to the separate branches of the administration, which were entitled to them. They accordingly kept lists of persons indebted to the state, made entries of all moneys that were paid in, and erased in the register the items which had been paid. They had the power to decide causes connected with the subjects under their management; though, if the matters in dispute were of importance, they were obliged to bring them for decision into the ordinary courts. (Pollux, 8.97; Etym. M., Harpocrat., Suid., Hesych. s. v.; Demosth. c. Timocr. p. 750.162, p. 762.197; Aeschin. c. Ctes. § 25; Aristot. Pol. 6.8.6; Böckh, P. E. p. 159; Schömann, Antiq. p. 417, Grote, ch. 31 (3. p. 117).) [W.S] [W.W]

(Appendix). They had summary jurisdiction to the value of ten drachmas only: beyond that, εἰς τὸ δικαστήριον εἰσάγοντες ἔμμηνα (Ath. Plb. 52).

(ἀποδέκται). “Receivers.” Public officers at Athens, ten in number, whose principal duty it was to collect the ordinary taxes and distribute them to the separate branches of the administration which were entitled to them (Arist. Pol. vi. 8, 1).