TAXIARCHUS

The Greek term for a commander of a taxis, which contained a variable number of men. In Athens the ten commanders of the ten taxeis were so called. They were elected annually by show of hands, one for each tribe. They also had to look after the levying and distribution of recruits, and they were thus concerned in the drawing up of the register of those citizens who were liable to serve. On the Macedonian taxis, see PHALANX.