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'''Anax''' is an ancient [[Greek language|Greek]] word for "[[high king]]". It was one of two Greek titles traditionally translated this way, the other being [[basileus]].
The word anax derives from ''wanakt-''' (ϜΑΝΑΞ, ϜΑΝΑΚΤΟΣ), and appears in [[Mycenaean language|Mycenaean]] written as ''wa-na-ka''. The [[digamma]] ϝ was pronounced ''w'' and was dropped very early by eastern Greek [[dialects]] (e.g. [[Ionic dialect|Ionian]]).
The word ''Anax'' in the [[Iliad]] refers to [[Agamemnon]] ("''άναξ ανδρών''", i.e. Commander-in-Chief) and [[Priam]], kings who exercises overlordship over other kings. This possible hierarchy of one "anax" exercising power over several local "basileis" probably hints to a proto-feudal political organization of Bronze Age Greece. The [[Linear B]] word ''wanakteros'' (''wa-na-ka-te-ro''), meaning "royal", and the Greek word ''anaktoron'', meaning "palace", are derived from ''wanax''. Anax is also a ceremonial epithet of the God [[Zeus]] ("Zeus Anax") in his capacity as overlord of the Universe, including the rest of the Gods. The meaning of "king" of [[basileus]] in Classical Greece is due to a shift in terminology that took place during the [[Greek Dark Ages]]. In Mycenaean times, a ''gwasileus'' appears to be a lower-ranking official, while in Homer, Anax is already an archaic title, used for legendary heroes and gods rather than for contemporary kings.
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