patronomi

PATRONOMI(πατρονόμοι) were magistrates established by Cleomenes III. at Sparta in his reformed constitution, when he abolished both the γερουσία and the ephorate, and set up the πατρονόμοι to exercise, as it were, a paternal control over the whole state (Paus. 2.9, 1). His constitution came to an end after the battle of Sellasia, B.C. 221; and we find ephors and γερουσία again (Paus. 3.11, 2), but with diminished powers; for the πατρονόμοι were retained as the chief magistrates (called συνάρχοντες τῆς πατρονομίας, C. I. G. 1356). Apparently they were six in number; the chief, or πρέσβυς τῶν πατρονόμων, was the ἐπώνυμος of the state,--that is, he gave his name to the year, which the first ephor had formerly done. (Compare Philostr. Vit. Apoll. 4.32; Plut. An seni sit resp. ger. 24; Gilbert, Staatsalterth. 1.24, 26.)