Episkopoi (, sing. ἐπίσκοπος,
episkopos, literally "overseer"), Latinized
episcopus/
episcopi, were inspectors who were sometimes sent by the
Classical Athens to subject states.
Harpocration compares them to the
harmosts, and says that they were also called
phylakes (φύλακες, "guardians"). It appears that these
episkopoi received a salary at the cost of the cities over which they presided.
The term was used in early Christianity to refer to overseers of local churches.[Phil 1:1] It has often been translated as "overseers," "pastors," "shepherds," or "bishops."
See also
-
Aristoph. Aves, 1022, &c., with Schol.';
-
Harpocrat. s. v. ; Bockh, Publ. Econ. of Athens^ pp. 156, 238j 2d ed. ;
-
Schomann, Antiq. Juris Pub. Graec. p. 432. 18.
