arkos

Updated: May 16, 2025

Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal. Patriarch, from the Greek, pater, father, and arkos, chief, or head, means the father and ruler of a family.

Andrew W. (Andrew White) Young - The Government Class Book: Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles: of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of: Citizens.

A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands of one person, is called a monarchy. The word monarch is from two Greek words, monos sole or only, and arkos, a chief; and is a general name for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A government in which all power resides in or proceeds from one person, is an absolute monarchy.

Andrew W. (Andrew White) Young - The Government Class Book: Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles: of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of: Citizens.