''Episkopoi'' (, sing. , ''episkopos'', literally "overseer"),
Latinized ''episcopus''/''episcopi'', were inspectors who were sometimes sent by the
Athenians
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
to subject states.
Harpocration
__NOTOC__
Valerius Harpocration ( or , ''gen''. Ἁρποκρατίωνος) was a Greek grammarian of Alexandria, probably working in the 2nd century AD. He is possibly the Harpocration mentioned by Julius Capitolinus (''Life of Verus'', 2) as ...
compares them to the
Lacedaemonian
harmosts, and says that they were also called ''phylakes'' (φύλακες, "guardians"). It appears that these ''episkopoi'' received a salary at the cost of the cities over which they presided.
The term was used in early
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
to refer to overseers of local churches. It has often been translated as "overseers," "pastors," "shepherds," or "bishops."
See also
*
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
*
Epistates
References
*Aristoph. Aves, 1022, &c., with Schol.';
*Harpocrat. s. v. ; Bockh, Publ. Econ. of Athens^ pp. 156, 238j 2d ed. ;
*Schomann, Antiq. Juris Pub. Graec. p. 432. 18.
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Athenian Empire
Ancient Greek titles