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λεγεών (ὁ)

ΛΕΓΕΩΝ

LEXARITHMOS 893

The term legion, a direct loanword from Latin, entered the Greek language to denote the formidable Roman military unit, a potent symbol of imperial power and order. Beyond its literal military sense, it acquired metaphorical uses, signifying a vast multitude or a powerful force, notably appearing in the New Testament. Its lexarithmos (893) connects it mathematically with concepts of organization and martial readiness.

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, «λεγεών» (Latin *legio*) refers to a “Roman legion, a body of infantry and cavalry, originally 3,000, later 6,000 men.” The word is a direct loan from Latin, reflecting Rome's political and military dominance over the Greek-speaking world from the Hellenistic period onwards.

The legion was not merely a military unit but the fundamental structure of the Roman army, renowned for its discipline, organization, and effectiveness. Each legion possessed its own identity, symbols (such as the aquila or eagle standard), and history, serving as a powerful instrument for the expansion and maintenance of imperial authority.

In Greek, the word was adopted not only to describe specific Roman units but also metaphorically to denote a large, uncountable multitude or a powerful, organized force. This metaphorical usage is particularly evident in the Gospels, where «λεγεών» is employed to describe a host of demons, emphasizing their numerous and organized nature.

Etymology

λεγεών ← Latin *legio* ← *legere* (to gather, choose, levy)

The word «λεγεών» is a direct loan from the Latin *legio*, which derives from the verb *legere*, meaning 'to gather, choose, or levy.' The original sense of *legio* was 'a levying' or 'a body of men levied,' referring to a collection of individuals for military purposes. The adoption of the word into Greek testifies to Rome's cultural and military influence, as there was no precise Greek equivalent for the specific structure and organization of the Roman legion.

Related words in Latin include *colligere* (to collect), *eligere* (to choose out), and *diligere* (to love, to choose with care). In Greek, while there are no direct etymological cognates, the word integrated into a semantic field alongside terms such as «στρατός» (army), «τάγμα» (battalion), and «πλήθος» (multitude).

Main Meanings

A Roman military unit — The primary and literal meaning: a large body of infantry and cavalry in the Roman army, typically comprising 6,000 men.
A large multitude, an innumerable host — A metaphorical usage to denote an immense quantity or an indefinite, but very large, number of people or things.
A military force in general — In a broader sense, any large and organized military body, irrespective of its Roman origin.
A host of demons — A specific usage in the New Testament to describe a large number of evil spirits, emphasizing their multitude and organized nature (e.g., Mark 5:9).
A powerful, organized force — A symbolic reference to a force that is well-structured, disciplined, and capable of achieving significant outcomes.
A specific Roman legion — Reference to a particular historical legion, often identified by its number or name (e.g., Legio X Fretensis).

Philosophical Journey

The trajectory of the word «λεγεών» in the Greek language is inextricably linked to the expansion of Roman dominion and cultural interaction.

PRE-ROMAN ERA

Absence of the term

Prior to the rise of Rome, the Greek language lacked a direct equivalent for the specific structure of the Roman legion. General terms like «στρατός» (army) or «τάγμα» (battalion) were used.

1st CENTURY BCE - 1st CENTURY CE

Introduction into Greek

With the Roman conquest of the Greek-speaking world, «λεγεών» was introduced as a loanword to describe the Roman military units stationed in the region.

1st CENTURY CE

Usage in the New Testament

The word gains particular prominence in the Gospels, where it is used metaphorically to denote a host of demons, emphasizing their multitude and organized nature (e.g., Mark 5:9).

2nd-3rd CENTURY CE

Historical and Literary References

Greek historians and writers such as Plutarch and Dio Cassius employed «λεγεών» to describe Roman military operations and army structure.

BYZANTINE ERA

Continued Use

The word persisted in the Greek language, often with a more generalized meaning of a military body, as the Roman legion as a unit had by then evolved into other forms.

In Ancient Texts

The word «λεγεών» appears in significant ancient texts, highlighting both its literal and metaphorical uses.

«καὶ ἐπηρώτα αὐτόν, Τί ὄνομά σοι; καὶ ἀπεκρίθη λέγων, Λεγεὼν ὄνομά μοι, ὅτι πολλοί ἐσμεν.»

And he asked him, “What is your name?” And he replied, saying, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

Gospel of Mark 5:9

«ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείους δώδεκα λεγεῶνας ἀγγέλων;»

Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Gospel of Matthew 26:53

«ἐν δὲ τῷ στρατοπέδῳ τῷ περὶ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν ἦσαν μὲν λεγεῶνες τέσσαρες, ὧν ἦρχον Ἀντώνιος καὶ Βρούτος.»

In the camp near Antioch there were four legions, which Antony and Brutus commanded.

Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Antony 23.1

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΛΕΓΕΩΝ is 893, from the sum of its letter values:

Λ = 30

Lambda

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Γ = 3

Gamma

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Ω = 800

Omega

Ν = 50

= 893

Total

30 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 800 + 50 = 893

893 decomposes into 800 (hundreds) + 90 (tens) + 3 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΛΕΓΕΩΝ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	893	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	2	8+9+3=20 → 2+0=2 — Duality, opposition, pairing. The legion as a unit opposing an enemy, or as a pair of infantry and cavalry.
Letter Count	6	6 letters — Hexad, the number of order and harmony, but also the number of man, who forms the basis of the legion.
Cumulative	3/90/800	Units 3 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 800
Odd/Even	Odd	Masculine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	L-E-G-E-O-N	Latin Etymology, General Echelon, Organized Numbers.
Grammatical Groups	3V · 3SV · 0M	3 vowels (E, E, O), 3 semivowels (L, G, N), 0 mutes. The balance of vowels and semivowels suggests a word with both fluidity and structure.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mars ♂ / Virgo ♍	893 mod 7 = 4 · 893 mod 12 = 5

Isopsephic Words (893)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon sharing the same lexarithmos (893) as «λεγεών», revealing interesting conceptual connections:

ἀγαπάζω

meaning 'to greet, salute, welcome.' While seemingly contrary to the martial nature of a legion, the formation of a legion (from *legere* - to gather) can be seen as a form of assembly and 'reception' of soldiers into a unit.

ἀποσυμβολ

meaning 'a sign, token, omen.' The Roman legion, with its eagles and standards, was a powerful symbol of Roman authority, discipline, and military supremacy.

κατάταξις

meaning 'arrangement, ordering, enrollment.' This word directly connects to the legion, as its very existence and function are based on the strict arrangement, ordering, and enrollment of its soldiers.

παράτασις

meaning 'extension, prolongation,' but also 'arraying of troops.' The arraying of troops is a fundamental action for the legion, both in training and in battle, underscoring its organizational structure.

πολεμητόκος

meaning 'war-producing, warlike.' The legion was the quintessential instrument of Roman warfare, the primary force that 'produced' and conducted the empire's military operations.

συνέργειον

meaning 'a working together, cooperation.' The effectiveness of a legion depended entirely on the flawless cooperation and coordination of its thousands of soldiers, making it an exemplar of collective action.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 69 words with lexarithmos 893. 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. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Lewis, C. T., Short, C. — A Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879.
Plutarch — Parallel Lives. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914.
Hornblower, S., Spawforth, A., Eidinow, E. — The Oxford Classical Dictionary. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Goldsworthy, A. — Complete Roman Army. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2003.

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