Perseus.particle introducing a question
interrog. Particle, in accent and sense a stronger form of ἄρα:
1.when it stands alone it usually expects a negative answer, like Lat. num? attic; so ἆρα μή; num vero? Aesch.:—for an affirmative answer, ἆρ᾽ οὐ; ἆρ᾽ οὐχί; nonne vero? is used, Soph., etc.
2.in prose, ἆρα almost always stands first in the sentence.