Die homerischen ‹Herolde›: Die Entwicklung des κῆρυξ zur Proto-Institution einer nicht verfassten Gemeinschaft

Abstract

The Homeric ‹heralds› (κήρυκες) are not always servants who are bound to the master of an οἶκος. Often they belong to the ruling classes of their communities, and their area of duty extends beyond singular households and fellowships. As servants and adjutants of civil or military leaders they are dele- gated to communal tasks where – within certain boundaries – they are able to operate autonomously. Several passages from Homer suggest an increasing permanence of these competences, making the he- ralds more independent from personal relationships. In some cases they even possess an authority to- wards the βασιλῆες. They thus develop into an institution that is part of the evolving statehood in the archaic period.