ΑΥΤΑΡΚΕΙΑ (autarkeia_oik) — Lexarithmos 838

Definition

In ancient Greek philosophy, αὐτάρκεια (from αὐτός "self" and ἀρκέω "to suffice") denotes the state of being self-sufficient, requiring nothing external to live well. It is not limited to material or economic independence but extends to a deeper, ethical, and spiritual autonomy. For Aristotle, in the "Nicomachean Ethics," autarkeia is one of the characteristics of the highest good, eudaimonia. The eudaimon individual is one who, being self-sufficient, does not need many things to live a full and virtuous life, although Aristotle acknowledges the social nature of humans.

Among the Epicureans, autarkeia constitutes a fundamental pillar for achieving ataraxia (freedom from disturbance) and pleasure (in the sense of the absence of pain and trouble). Epicurus taught that self-sufficiency leads to freedom from external circumstances and desires that are not natural and necessary, allowing the wise person to find happiness within themselves. Simplicity and moderation are inextricably linked to autarkeia in Epicurean thought.

The Stoics, for their part, elevated autarkeia as an integral component of virtue and wisdom. For them, self-sufficiency consists in the individual's ability to live in accordance with nature and reason, unaffected by external "indifferent" things (wealth, fame, health). Apatheia, freedom from passions, is the expression of the wise person's autarkeia, who finds completeness and happiness exclusively in their virtue.

Etymology

aut- (from αὐτός, 'self') + ark- (from ἀρκέω, 'to suffice')

The word αὐτάρκεια is a compound, derived from the Ancient Greek pronoun αὐτός, meaning "self" or "itself," and the verb ἀρκέω, meaning "to be sufficient, to suffice, to be enough." This compound creates the concept of "sufficing for oneself" or "having enough within oneself." Both components are Ancient Greek roots belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, requiring no recourse to extra-Hellenic sources.

The family of αὐτάρκεια branches from its two primary roots. From αὐτός arise words denoting autonomy and self-containedness, while from ἀρκέω are derived terms indicating sufficiency and aid. The convergence of these concepts in αὐτάρκεια emphasizes the internal source of completeness.

Main Meanings

Philosophical Autonomy and Self-Sufficiency — The capacity of an individual or community to live fully and virtuously without external dependence, a central concept in Aristotle, Stoicism, and Epicureanism.
Economic Independence — The state of having enough for one's needs without requiring assistance from others. Often associated with frugality and simple living.
Ethical and Spiritual Self-Reliance — The inner strength and moral integrity that renders an individual impervious to external circumstances and desires.
Sufficiency of a City-State — The ability of a polis to meet its citizens' needs from its own resources, without relying on other cities (Aristotle, 'Politics').
Inner Completeness and Eudaimonia — The state of mental tranquility and contentment derived from the absence of needs and the achievement of ataraxia (Epicureans).
Absence of Need for External Goods — The liberation from the desire for wealth, fame, or other external honors, considered a prerequisite for virtue (Stoics).
Self-Reliance, Self-Containedness — The general notion of independence and the ability to function autonomously, without support.

Word Family

aut- (from αὐτός, 'self') and ark- (from ἀρκέω, 'to suffice')

The root of autarkeia is composite, stemming from two fundamental Ancient Greek concepts: "autos" denoting identity and autonomy, and "arkeo" signifying sufficiency and contentment. This combination generates a family of words that explore the idea of self-governance, adequacy, and inner completeness. Each member of the family illuminates a different aspect of this complex relationship between the individual and their needs, from simple sufficiency to complete self-mastery.

αὐτός pronoun · lex. 971

The basic pronoun meaning 'self, himself, herself, itself.' It forms the first component of autarkeia, emphasizing the reference to the self as the source or recipient of sufficiency. Widely used throughout ancient Greek literature.

ἀρκέω verb · lex. 926

The verb meaning 'to be sufficient, to suffice, to be content.' It forms the second component of autarkeia, denoting the state of adequacy. In Homer, it means 'to ward off, to help,' while later it means 'to be enough, to be satisfied.' (Plato, 'Republic').

αὐτονομία ἡ · noun · lex. 942

Autonomy, the ability to legislate for oneself, independence. Closely linked to autarkeia, as autonomy presupposes a form of self-sufficiency in decision-making. (Thucydides, 'Histories').

αὐτοκράτωρ ὁ · noun · lex. 2092

One who rules alone, an absolute ruler, emperor. It implies a political self-sufficiency in power, without external interference. (Polybius, 'Histories').

αὐτοφυής adjective · lex. 1879

That which grows by itself, natural, indigenous. It describes the self-sufficiency of nature or a being that develops on its own, without external cultivation. (Aristotle, 'History of Animals').

ἀρκετός adjective · lex. 696

That which is sufficient, adequate. It describes the quality of sufficiency, which is the foundation of autarkeia. (Xenophon, 'Anabasis').

ἐπαρκέω verb · lex. 1011

Meaning 'to provide aid, to be sufficient for, to help.' While ἀρκέω is passive sufficiency, ἐπαρκέω is the active provision of sufficiency or aid. (Demosthenes, 'On the Crown').

ἐπάρκεια ἡ · noun · lex. 222

Aid, support, sufficiency. As a noun, it denotes the state of providing or having adequate means, complementing the concept of autarkeia as an internal state. (Plutarch, 'Parallel Lives').

Philosophical Journey

The concept of autarkeia permeates ancient Greek philosophy, evolving from a practical necessity into an ideal for human flourishing and political organization.

5th C. BCE

Presocratics

Democritus mentions autarkeia as a source of happiness, arguing that contentment comes from within, not from external goods.

4th C. BCE

Plato

Although not a central concept for him, Plato in the 'Republic' describes an ideal state that is self-sufficient in its needs to maintain its unity and virtue.

4th C. BCE

Aristotle

In the 'Nicomachean Ethics' and 'Politics,' Aristotle makes autarkeia a key component of eudaimonia for the individual and a prerequisite for the ideal city-state. The eudaimon person is self-sufficient.

3rd C. BCE

Epicureans

Epicurus and his followers consider autarkeia essential for achieving ataraxia and pleasure, as it frees individuals from external dependencies and superfluous desires.

3rd C. BCE - 2nd C. CE

Stoics

For the Stoics, autarkeia is synonymous with virtue and apatheia. The wise person is self-sufficient because they find happiness solely in a virtuous life, regardless of external conditions.

1st C. CE

New Testament

In certain passages, such as Philippians 4:11, Paul uses the concept of autarkeia in the sense of contentment and adaptability to circumstances, without it being a philosophical term in the ancient sense.

In Ancient Texts

Autarkeia, as an ideal of life and political organization, was clearly articulated by the great philosophers of antiquity.

«τὸ γὰρ αὐτάρκες καὶ τέλειον ἀγαθὸν εἶναι δοκεῖ.»

For the self-sufficient and perfect good seems to be.

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics I 7, 1097b

«τὴν αὐτάρκειαν μέγιστον ἀγαθὸν ὑπολαμβάνομεν, οὐχ ἵνα πάντως τοῖς ὀλίγοις χρώμεθα, ἀλλ’ ἵνα, ἐὰν μὴ ἔχωμεν, τοῖς ὀλίγοις ἀρκώμεθα.»

We consider self-sufficiency a great good, not so that we may always use only a few things, but so that if we do not have many, we may be content with a few.

Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus 130

«οὐκ ὅτι ὑστεροῦμαι λέγω· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι.»

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Apostle Paul, Philippians 4:11

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΑΥΤΑΡΚΕΙΑ is 838, from the sum of its letter values:

Α = 1

Alpha

Υ = 400

Upsilon

Τ = 300

Tau

Α = 1

Alpha

Ρ = 100

Rho

Κ = 20

Kappa

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Ι = 10

Iota

Α = 1

Alpha

= 838

Total

1 + 400 + 300 + 1 + 100 + 20 + 5 + 10 + 1 = 838

838 decomposes into 800 (hundreds) + 30 (tens) + 8 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΥΤΑΡΚΕΙΑ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	838	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	1	8+3+8 = 19 → 1+9 = 10 → 1+0 = 1. The number 1 symbolizes unity, origin, independence, and self-containedness, concepts inextricably linked to autarkeia.
Letter Count	9	9 letters. The number 9 is associated with completion, perfection, and spiritual fulfillment, reflecting the ideal state of self-sufficiency.
Cumulative	8/30/800	Units 8 · Tens 30 · Hundreds 800
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	A-U-T-A-R-K-E-I-A	Authentic Understanding, True Autonomy, Radiant Knowledge, Enduring Inner Aspiration.
Grammatical Groups	5V · 0D · 4S	5 vowels (A, U, A, E, I, A), 0 double consonants, 4 single consonants (T, R, K).
Palindromes	Yes (numeric)	Number reads same reversed
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Jupiter ♃ / Aquarius ♒	838 mod 7 = 5 · 838 mod 12 = 10

Isopsephic Words (838)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (838) as αὐτάρκεια, but from different roots, offer interesting conceptual parallels or contrasts.

μοχθηρία

Mochtheria, meaning wickedness or depravity, presents a stark contrast to autarkeia. While self-sufficiency leads to inner peace and virtue, mochtheria implies an internal inadequacy and dependence on passions and evil deeds.

κτίτης

Ktites, the founder or builder, can be linked to autarkeia in terms of creating a self-sufficient entity, whether it be a home, a city, or the very personality that builds its self-sufficiency.

πολυμαθής

Polymathēs, one who possesses great knowledge, can be considered to hold a form of intellectual self-sufficiency. Extensive knowledge makes one less dependent on external sources of information, allowing for independent judgment.

σεμνοπρεπής

Semnoprepēs, meaning dignified and respectable, is often associated with autarkeia. Dignity implies an inner stability and self-assurance that does not require external validation, a characteristic of the self-sufficient individual.

ὑπόγειος

Hypogeios, meaning underground or subterranean, can be contrasted with autarkeia in terms of visibility and independence. While self-sufficiency is a state of freedom and autonomy, hypogeios suggests concealment, restriction, or dependence on the ground.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 70 words with lexarithmos 838. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a Revised Supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Aristotle — Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by W. D. Ross. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1925.
Aristotle — Politics. Translated by H. Rackham. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1932.
Epicurus — Letter to Menoeceus. In: The Epicurus Reader: Selected Writings and Testimonia, translated and edited by B. Inwood and L. P. Gerson. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1994.
Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. 1: Translations of the Principal Sources with Philosophical Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987.
Stobaeus, Johannes — Anthologium. Edited by C. Wachsmuth and O. Hense. Berlin: Weidmann, 1884-1912. (For Stoic fragments).
The New Testament — The Greek New Testament. Edited by B. Aland et al. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.