βασιλεύς

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

Etymology

    From Proto-Hellenic *gʷatiléus, with σ (s) developing by assibilation. Cognate with Mycenaean Greek 𐀣𐀯𐀩𐀄 (qa-si-re-u), that is, *gʷasileus. Further etymology uncertain. Multiple Indo-European etymologies have been advanced, while Beekes considers it Pre-Greek in origin.[1] Possibly from an Anatolian language (see Lydian 𐤡𐤠𐤯𐤯𐤬𐤳 (pattoš, “king”)), although the Mycenaean (Linear B) evidence points to an original form with initial gʷ.

    Case-forms show Attic shortening of the original stem βασιληϝ- (basilēw-); see quantitative metathesis.

    Pronunciation

     
    • Hyphenation: βα‧σι‧λεύς

    Noun

    βᾰσῐλεύς • (băsĭleús) m (genitive βᾰσῐλέως); third declension

    1. chief, master
    2. king, lord, patron

    Usage notes

    Greek leaders ruling in distant lands, such as those of Ptolemaic Egypt, often use the word βασιλεύς (basileús) to convey authority, an example of this is exemplified in the use of the phrase ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (PTOLEMAIOu BASILEŌS) on Ptolemaic coinage minted for use in Egypt.

    During specific periods of Greek history, βασιλεύς (basileús) was used to describe certain foreign leaders of comparable authority, such as the Persian kings and Roman Caesars. In this usage, it often took on certain modifications, such as a lack of definite article or the use of the adjective μέγας (mégas).

    Declension

    Third declension of ὁ βᾰσῐλεύς; τοῦ βᾰσῐλέως (Attic)
    Case / # Singular Dual Plural
    Nominative ὁ βᾰσῐλεύς
    ho băsĭleús     		τὼ βᾰσῐλῆ
    tṑ băsĭlê     		οἱ βᾰσῐλῆς / βᾰσῐλεῖς
    hoi băsĭlês / băsĭleîs
    Genitive τοῦ βᾰσῐλέως
    toû băsĭléōs     		τοῖν βᾰσῐλέοιν
    toîn băsĭléoin     		τῶν βᾰσῐλέων
    tôn băsĭléōn
    Dative τῷ βᾰσῐλεῖ
    tōî băsĭleî     		τοῖν βᾰσῐλέοιν
    toîn băsĭléoin     		τοῖς βᾰσῐλεῦσῐ / βᾰσῐλεῦσῐν
    toîs băsĭleûsĭ(n)
    Accusative τὸν βᾰσῐλέᾱ
    tòn băsĭléā     		τὼ βᾰσῐλῆ
    tṑ băsĭlê     		τοὺς βᾰσῐλέᾱς
    toùs băsĭléās
    Vocative βᾰσῐλεῦ
    băsĭleû     		βᾰσῐλῆ
    băsĭlê     		βᾰσῐλῆς / βᾰσῐλεῖς
    băsĭlês / băsĭleîs
    Notes:
    • This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For declension in other dialects, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal declension.
    Third declension of βᾰσῐλεύς; βᾰσῐλῆος (Epic)
    Case / # Singular Dual Plural
    Nominative βᾰσῐλεύς
    băsĭleús     		βᾰσῐλῆε
    băsĭlêe     		βᾰσῐλῆες
    băsĭlêes
    Genitive βᾰσῐλῆος / βᾰσῐλέος
    băsĭlêos / băsĭléos     		βᾰσῐλήοιν / βᾰσῐλήοιῐν
    băsĭlḗoi(ĭ)n     		βᾰσῐλήων
    băsĭlḗōn
    Dative βᾰσῐλῆῐ̈ / βᾰσῐλέῐ̈
    băsĭlêĭ̈ / băsĭléĭ̈     		βᾰσῐλήοιν / βᾰσῐλήοιῐν
    băsĭlḗoi(ĭ)n     		βᾰσῐλήεσσῐ / βᾰσῐλήεσσῐν / βᾰσῐλεῦσῐ / βᾰσῐλεῦσῐν
    băsĭlḗessĭ(n) / băsĭleûsĭ(n)
    Accusative βᾰσῐλῆᾰ / βᾰσῐλέᾰ
    băsĭlêă / băsĭléă     		βᾰσῐλῆε
    băsĭlêe     		βᾰσῐλῆᾰς
    băsĭlêăs
    Vocative βᾰσῐλεῦ
    băsĭleû     		βᾰσῐλῆε
    băsĭlêe     		βᾰσῐλῆες
    băsĭlêes
    Notes:
    • Dialects other than Attic are not well attested. Some forms may be based on conjecture. Use with caution.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Descendants

    References

    1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) “βασιλεύς”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 203

    Further reading

    Greek

    Etymology

    From Ancient Greek βασιλεύς.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /vasiˈlefs/
    • Audio:(file)
    • Hyphenation: βα‧σι‧λεύς

    Noun

    βασιλεύς • (vasiléfs) m (plural βασιλείς)

    1. Katharevousa form of βασιλιάς (vasiliás, “king”)
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