XENA´GI
XENA´GI (
ξεναγοί). The
Spartans, as being the head of that Peloponnesian and Dorian league which
was formed to secure the independence of the Greek states, had the sole
command of the confederate troops in time of war, provided that the league
did not disapprove of the war (see
Hdt. 5.75;
Gilbert.
Gr. Staatsalt. 1.96, note); they ordered the quotas
which each state was to furnish, and appointed officers of their own to
command them. Such officers were called
ξεναγοί. The generals whom the allies sent with their troops
(
ἄρχοντες, στρατηγοὶ) were
subordinate to these Spartan
ξεναγοί,
though they attended the council of war, as representatives of their
respective countries (
Thuc. 2.7,
10,
75;
5.54;
7.18;--
Xenoph. Hell. 3.5.7;
Agesil.
2.10). After the peace of Antalcidas, the league was still more firmly
established, though Argos refused to join it; and the Spartans were rigorous
in exacting the required military service, demanding levies by the
σκυτάλη, and sending out
ξεναγοὶ to collect them: in case of desertion they could
fine the state 1 stater a day for each man who was due. (
Xenoph. Hell. 5.2, § § 7,
22, 37; 6.3.7;--Wachsmuth,
Hell. Alterth. vol. i. pt. ii. pp.
114, 241, 1st ed.; Schömann,
Ant. Jur. Pub. Gr. p.
426; Gilbert,
Gr. Staatsalterth. 1.95 f.; Thumser,
Gr.
Staatsalterth. 1.214.)
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