THĔŌRI

( θεωροί ), persons sent on special mi ions ( θεωρίαι ) to perform some religious duty, as to consult an oracle, or to offer a sacrifice, on behalf of the state. There were among some of the Dorian states, as the Aeginetans, Troezenians, Me enians, and Mantineans, official priests called The or i , whose duty it was to consult oracles, interpret the responses, ., as among the Spartans there were men called Pythii , chosen by the kings to consult the oracle at Delphi. At Athens there were no official persons called The or i , but the name was given to those citizens who were appointed from time to time to conduct religious emba ies to various places; of which the most important were those that were sent to the Olympian, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian games, those that went to consult the God at Delphi, and those that led the solemn proce ion to Delos, where the A then i ans established a quadriennial festival, in revival of the ancient Ionian one, of which Homer speaks. The expense of these emba ies was defrayed partly by the state, and partly by wealthy citizens, to whom the management of them was entrusted, called Arch i the or i ( ἀρχιθέωροι ), chiefs of the emba y. This was a sort of liturgy, and frequently a very costly one; as the chief conductor represented the state, and was expected to appear with a suitable degree of splendour; for instance, to wear a golden crown, to drive into the city with a handsome chariot, retinue, . The Sal am in i an, or Delian, ship was also called θεωρὶς ναῦς , and was principally used for conveying emba ies to Delos, though, like the Paralus, it was employed on other expeditions besides.