ephors

These were called ephors, and at first behaved themselves as servants to the kings; but afterwards, by degrees, they appropriated the power to themselves and erected a distinct magistracy.

The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans Plutarch 2003

After a time, however, officers called ephors were elected by the Popular Assembly, and these gradually absorbed the powers and functions of the Senate, as well as the authority of the two associate kings.

General History for Colleges and High Schools Philip Van Ness Myers

The real management of public affairs lay in the hands of five men, known as ephors, who were elected every year by the popular assembly.

Early European History Hutton Webster

To hinder the kings from doing anything wrong, he had the people choose five men, called ephors, to watch over and to advise them.

The Story of the Greeks 1894

At a later date five men, called ephors, were selected from the people, into whose hands fell nearly all the civil power, so that the kings had little more to do than to command the army and lead it to war.

Historic Tales, vol 10 (of 15) The Romance of Reality Charles Morris 1877

You don't need to embellish the most insane military stand in world history with CGI monsters and deformed Spartan ephors getting high on temple fumes.

The International Push AKA Dartflix Edition # 50 Dart Adams 2009

They had to be permanently on their guard, and it is not surprising, therefore, that their magistrates (the ephors) declared war upon the Messenians every year.

OpEdNews - Diary: Palestinians in Gaza, the Modern Helots 2008

The ephors and the magistrates were already intending to send envoys to the Syracusans bidding them make no terms with the Athenians, although they were not disposed to assist them actively.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

However, if they would not change their minds, then he advised them not to choose a king, without first instituting customs equitable and suitable to the national genius, and above all he would have them create some supreme council, to balance the king's power like the ephors of the Lacedaemonians, and to have absolute right to determine the disputes, which might arise between the king and the citizens.

A Political Treatise 2007

With the advent of spring488 the ephors again called out the ban against Thebes, and requested Agesilaus to lead the expedition, as on the former campaign.

Hellenica 2007