ΕΠΙΚΡΙΤΟΣ
The word epikritos (ἐπίκριτος), with a lexarithmos of 795, denotes someone who has been selected or judged as suitable, often within a political or military context. It signifies not merely one who is judged, but one who has undergone a process of selection or evaluation and has been found worthy. Its meaning is central to understanding ancient Greek institutions, where the selection of individuals for public office or military units was of paramount importance.
REPORT ERRORDefinition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ἐπίκριτος refers to one who has been "chosen, selected, approved." It is an adjective often used substantively, indicating a person or thing that has undergone a process of judgment or selection and has emerged as the preferred or suitable candidate. The prefix "epi-" in the compound conveys the sense of judgment "upon" or "for" something, reinforcing the idea of a targeted evaluation.
The word finds extensive application in political and military contexts in classical antiquity. In the military sphere, it refers to soldiers or units chosen for their competence or for a specific mission, conveying the notion of "select" or "picked" men. In politics, it may refer to officials or council members who have been chosen through some process, whether by lot or vote, and have been deemed worthy of bearing a public responsibility.
The significance of ἐπίκριτος is not limited to mere selection but also carries the connotation of approval and validation. An ἐπίκριτον thing is one that has received official sanction or has been judged as correct. Thus, the word is directly linked to decision-making processes and the conferral of authority upon individuals or situations within the social and political structure of ancient Greek city-states.
Etymology
The family of the root krin- is rich in derivatives related to judgment, discernment, and selection. The verb κρίνω is the base, from which nouns such as κρίσις (the act of judging, decision), κριτής (one who judges), and κριτήριον (the means or standard of judgment) are derived. Furthermore, adjectives like κριτικός (one capable of judging) and compound verbs such as διακρίνω (to separate, distinguish) and κατακρίνω (to condemn) demonstrate the breadth of its semantic range.
Main Meanings
- Chosen, selected — One who has been chosen or selected for an office, duty, or military unit, due to their competence. E.g., «ἐπίκριτοι ἄνδρες».
- Approved, accepted — One who has received official approval or has been judged as suitable and acceptable.
- Distinguished, choice — By extension, one who is worthy of selection due to their quality, the excellent one.
- Subject to judgment or evaluation — One who is placed under examination or evaluation, with the aim of selection or rejection.
- Suitable, appropriate (for a place) — For places, one that has been judged as the most suitable or strategic for a certain purpose. E.g., «ἐπίκριτον χωρίον».
- Discernible, distinct — More rarely, that which can be distinguished or set apart from others, due to its clarity.
Word Family
krin- (root of the verb κρίνω, meaning "to distinguish, decide, judge")
The root krin- is fundamental in the Ancient Greek language, possessing a rich semantic range that begins with the original meaning of "to separate, to distinguish." From this basic idea of discernment, the meanings "to decide," "to judge," "to choose," and "to evaluate" developed. This root is exceptionally productive, generating a large family of words that cover the entire spectrum of human judgment, from the simple distinction of objects to the ethical and legal judgment of persons and actions. Each member of the family highlights a different aspect of this fundamental semantic function.
Philosophical Journey
The word ἐπίκριτος, though not among the most frequent, appears in crucial texts of the classical period, primarily in authors concerned with history, politics, and military strategy, highlighting the importance of selection and judgment in the organization of the city-state and its army.
In Ancient Texts
Xenophon, one of the most significant historians and military writers of classical Greece, uses the word ἐπίκριτος to emphasize the quality of selection in military and geographical contexts.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΕΠΙΚΡΙΤΟΣ is 795, from the sum of its letter values:
795 decomposes into 700 (hundreds) + 90 (tens) + 5 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΕΠΙΚΡΙΤΟΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 795 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 3 | 7+9+5 = 21 → 2+1 = 3. The Triad, a symbol of completeness, balance, and divine order, signifying a thorough and just judgment. |
| Letter Count | 9 | 9 letters. The Ennead, a number of completion and perfection, often associated with the achievement of a goal or the finalization of a process, such as selection. |
| Cumulative | 5/90/700 | Units 5 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 700 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | E-P-I-K-R-I-T-O-S | Excellent People Intelligently Knowing Righteousness In Truth, Often Selecting. |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 0D · 5C | 4 vowels (E, I, I, O), 0 diphthongs, 5 consonants (P, K, R, T, S). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mars ♂ / Cancer ♋ | 795 mod 7 = 4 · 795 mod 12 = 3 |
Isopsephic Words (795)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (795) but different roots, highlighting the coincidences of Greek numerology:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 80 words with lexarithmos 795. 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. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
- Xenophon — Cyropaedia. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
- Xenophon — Hellenica. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
- Xenophon — Anabasis. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
- Plato — Republic. Oxford Classical Texts, Oxford University Press.
- Aristotle — Rhetoric. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
- Thucydides — Histories. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.