ΤΙΜΗΜΑ
In ancient Greek, timēma was not merely a monetary sum, but the value ascribed to something or someone, often with legal and political implications. From property assessment for taxation to the penalty imposed in court, the `timēma` determined a citizen's standing in society and the nature of justice. Its lexarithmos (399) suggests the completeness and finality of an appraisal.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, `timēma` (τοῦ τιμήματος) primarily means "an estimation, appraisal, value, price" and, more specifically, "the amount fixed as a fine or compensation." The word derives from the verb `timaō` ("to estimate, to value") and the root `tim-`, which carries the semantic range of value, honor, and respect.
In classical Athens, `timēma` played a central role in the political and legal system. Solon, through his reforms, divided citizens into classes based on the `timēma` of their property (e.g., `pentakosiomedimnoi`). This "timocracy" determined their political rights and obligations, directly linking economic worth to political participation.
Beyond politics, `timēma` was fundamental to the judicial system. In many trials, the court was tasked with determining the `timēma`, i.e., the penalty or compensation to be paid. This could be a monetary fine, enslavement, or even death, as in the case of Socrates, who himself proposed a small fine or sustenance in the Prytaneion as his `timēma`. The determination of the `timēma` was often a subject of intense dispute between accuser and accused.
The significance of `timēma` extends to the broader concept of the "value" or "cost" associated with an action or a state, not solely in monetary terms. It can refer to the price paid for acquiring something, whether material or intangible, emphasizing the idea of exchange and appraisal.
Etymology
From the root `tim-` are derived many words that retain the core meaning of value and estimation. The verb `timaō` ("to estimate, appraise, honor") is the base. Other derivatives include the noun `timē` ("value, honor, respect, cost"), the adjective `timios` ("honorable, valuable"), and compounds such as `timokratia` ("government based on property qualification").
Main Meanings
- Estimation, appraisal — The act of determining the value of a thing or property. Often used in legal and economic contexts.
- Value, price — The amount or worth ascribed to something, either as a purchase cost or an estimated value.
- Fine, penalty — The monetary sum or other sanction imposed by a court as punishment for an offense.
- Compensation — The amount paid to redress a loss or injustice.
- Property qualification — In the Athenian state, the assessed value of a citizen's property that determined their social and political class.
- Exchange, cost — The "price" paid for acquiring or achieving something, not necessarily in monetary terms, but as a sacrifice or effort.
Word Family
tim- (root of the verb timaō, meaning "to appraise, to honor")
The root `tim-` is Ancient Greek and forms the basis of a significant family of words revolving around the concepts of value, respect, estimation, and cost. From this root, both moral and material meanings developed, making it central to understanding the social, legal, and economic structures of ancient Greece. Each member of the family highlights a different facet of this fundamental concept, from the act of appraisal to the value itself or its absence.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of `timēma` traverses ancient Greek history, evolving from a simple appraisal into a central pillar of Athens' political and legal system.
In Ancient Texts
Three characteristic passages illustrating the use of `timēma` in its ancient Greek context.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΤΙΜΗΜΑ is 399, from the sum of its letter values:
399 decomposes into 300 (hundreds) + 90 (tens) + 9 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΤΙΜΗΜΑ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 399 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 3 | 3+9+9=21 → 2+1=3 — Triad, completion and balance in appraisal. |
| Letter Count | 6 | 7 letters — Heptad, the number of perfection and completeness, reflecting the precision of estimation. |
| Cumulative | 9/90/300 | Units 9 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 300 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | T-I-M-H-M-A | Timēs Hierarchia Met' Ēthikēs Merimnōn Axias (Interpretive: Hierarchy of Honor with Ethical Concerns of Value) |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 2L · 2S | 3 vowels (i, ē, a), 2 liquids/nasals (m, m), 2 stops (t, t). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Moon ☽ / Cancer ♋ | 399 mod 7 = 0 · 399 mod 12 = 3 |
Isopsephic Words (399)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (399) as `timēma`, but from different roots, offering a glimpse into the numerical harmony of the Greek language.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 50 words with lexarithmos 399. 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 University Press, 9th ed., 1940.
- Plato — Apology of Socrates.
- Aristotle — Politics.
- Demosthenes — Against Aphobus I.
- Xenophon — Cyropaedia.
- Thucydides — Histories.
- Aristotle — Constitution of the Athenians.