Editing Anax (section)

== Homeric ''anax'' ==
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=== Etymology ===
The word ''anax'' derives from the stem ''wanakt-'' (nominative {{lang|grc|*ϝάνακτς}}, genitive {{lang|grc|ϝάνακτος}}), and appears in [[Mycenaean Greek]] written in [[Linear B]] script as {{lang|gmy|{{script|Linb|𐀷𐀙𐀏}}}}, ''{{lang|gmy-Latn|wa-na-ka}}'',<ref name=":7" /> and in the feminine form as {{lang|gmy|{{script|Linb|𐀷𐀙𐀭}}}}, ''{{lang|gmy-Latn|wa-na-sa}}''<ref>{{cite web|title=The Linear B word wa-na-sa|url=http://www.palaeolexicon.com/default.aspx?static=12&wid=798|website=Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of ancient languages}}</ref> (later {{lang|grc|ἄνασσα}}, ''ánassa''). The [[digamma]] {{lang|grc|ϝ}} was pronounced {{IPAc-en|w}} and was dropped very early on, even before the adoption of the [[Phoenician alphabet]], by [[Ancient Greek dialects|eastern Greek dialects]] (e.g. [[Ionic Greek]]); other dialects retained the digamma until well after the classical era.

The Greek title has been compared{{by whom|date=October 2018}} to [[Sanskrit]] ''{{IAST|vanij}}'', a word for "merchant", but in the [[Rigveda]] once used as a title of [[Indra]] in Rig Veda 5.45.6. The word could then be from [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] *''{{PIE|wen-aǵ-}}'', roughly "bringer of spoils" (compare the etymology of [[Lord#Etymology|lord]], "bread guardian"). However, [[Robert S. P. Beekes|Robert Beekes]] argues there is no convincing IE etymology and the term is probably from the [[pre-Greek substrate]].

=== References ===
The word ''anax'' in the ''[[Iliad]]'' refers to [[Agamemnon]] ({{lang|grc|ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν}}, {{lang|grc-Latn|anax andrōn}}, i.e. "leader of men") and to [[Priam]], high kings who exercise overlordship over other, presumably lesser, kings. This possible hierarchy of one ''anax'' exercising power over several local "basileis" probably hints to a proto-feudal political organization of [[Aegean civilization]]s. The [[Linear B]] adjective {{lang|gmy|{{script|Linb|𐀷𐀙𐀏𐀳𐀫}}}}, ''{{lang|gmy-Latn|wa-na-ka-te-ro}}'' (''{{lang|gmy-Latn|wanákteros}}''), "of [the household of] the king, royal",<ref>{{cite web|title=The Linear B word wa-na-ka-te-ro|url=http://www.palaeolexicon.com/default.aspx?static=12&wid=575|website=Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of ancient languages}}</ref> and the Greek word {{lang|grc|ἀνάκτορον}}, ''{{lang|grc-Latn|anáktoron}}'', "royal [dwelling], palace"<ref>{{LSJ|a)na/ktoron|ἀνάκτορον|shortref}}.</ref> are derived from ''{{lang|grc-Latn|anax}}''. ''Anax'' is also a ceremonial epithet of the god [[Zeus]] ("Zeus Anax") in his capacity as overlord of the Universe, including the rest of the gods. The meaning of ''[[basileus]]'' as "king" in Classical Greece is due to a shift in terminology during the [[Greek Dark Ages]]. In Mycenaean times, a {{lang|gmy-Latn|*gʷasileus}} appears to be a lower-ranking official (in one instance a chief of a professional guild), while in Homer, ''anax'' is already an archaic title, most suited to legendary heroes and gods rather than for contemporary kings.

The word is found as an element in such names as [[Hipponax]] ("king of horses"), [[Anaxagoras]] ("king of the [[agora]]"), [[Pleistoanax]] ("king of the multitude"), [[Anaximander]] ("king of the estate"), Anaximenes ("enduring king"), [[Astyanax]] ("high king", "overlord of the city"), Anaktoria ("royal [woman]"), Iphiánassa ("mighty queen"), and many others. The archaic plural ''ánakes'' (ἄνακες, "Kings") was a common reference to the [[Castor and Pollux|Dioskouroi]], whose temple was usually called the [[Anakeion]] ({{lang|grc|ἀνάκειον}}) and their yearly religious festival the ''Anákeia'' ({{lang|grc|ἀνάκεια}}).

The words ''ánax'' and ''ánassa'' are occasionally used in [[Modern Greek]] as a deferential to royalty, whereas the word ''anáktoro[n]'' and its derivatives are commonly used with regard to palaces.