The ''kolakretai'' or ''kolagretai'' ( grc, κωλακρέται or κωλαγρέται) were very ancient

magistrate The term magistrate is used in a variety of systems of governments and laws to refer to a civilian officer who administers the law. In ancient Rome, a '' magistratus'' was one of the highest ranking government officers, and possessed both judic ...

s at

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...

, who had the management of all financial matters in the time of the kings, at least as early as the 7th century BC. They are said to have derived their name from collecting certain parts of the victims at sacrifices (), from ''kola'', a Greek noun meaning "limbs". The legislation of

Solon Solon ( grc-gre, Σόλων; BC) was an Athenian statesman, constitutional lawmaker and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in Archaic Athens.Aristotle ''Politics'' ...

left the ''kolakretai'' untouched, but Cleisthenes deprived them of the charge of the finances, which he transferred to the '' apodektai'', who were established in their stead. From this time, the ''kolakretai'' had only to provide for the meals in the '' Prytaneum'', and subsequently had likewise to pay the fees to the ''

dikastes Dikastes ( el, δικαστής, pl. δικασταί) was a legal office in ancient Greece that signified, in the broadest sense, a judge or juror, but more particularly denotes the Attic functionary of the democratic period, who, with his collea ...

'', when the practice of paying the ''dikastes'' was introduced by

Pericles Pericles (; grc-gre, Περικλῆς; c. 495 – 429 BC) was a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Pelo ...

Philipp August Böckh Philipp is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include: "Philipp" has also been a shortened version of Philippson, a German surname especially prevalent amongst German Jews and Dutch Jews. Surname * Adolf Philipp (1864� ...

''The Political Economy of Athens'' 173. &c., 2nd ed. They are not mentioned in any literature or inscription after 411 BC, and it is likely the office was abolished at that time, and some or all of their remaining functions were assumed by the ''apodektai''.

References

Sources

* {{SmithDGRA, title=Colacretae Ancient Athenian titles Taxation in ancient Athens Archaic Athens