CLERUCHY Meaning and
Definition
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A cleruchy is a term that originated in ancient Greece and refers to a form of land distribution and settlement policy. The word is derived from the Greek word "kleros," meaning "lot" or "portion," and "epicheirein," meaning "to assign." It refers to a system in which citizens of a polis, or city-state, are selected to become colonists and settle in a specific territory that has been conquered or newly acquired by their city-state.
Under a cleruchy, the colonists, known as cleruchs, were given a plot of land, known as a kleros or allotment, which was cultivated for agriculture or used for other purposes. The cleruchs were also granted political rights and retained their citizenship in the original city-state, while also having obligations to their new settlement. They were expected to provide military service and contribute to the defense and prosperity of their respective cleruchy.
The policy of establishing cleruchies allowed the ruling city-state to expand its influence over conquered territories, secure its control, and maintain stability. It also facilitated the spread of Greek culture and civilization to new regions.
Cleruchies were prevalent in ancient Greek city-states such as Athens and Megara during the Classical period. They played a significant role in the colonization efforts and territorial expansion of these polities. Over time, however, the practice of cleruchy diminished and gave way to other forms of colonial settlement and administration.
Common Misspellings for CLERUCHY
- xleruchy
- vleruchy
- fleruchy
- dleruchy
- ckeruchy
- cperuchy
- coeruchy
- clwruchy
- clsruchy
- cldruchy
- clrruchy
- cl4ruchy
- cl3ruchy
- cleeuchy
- cleduchy
- clefuchy
- cletuchy
- cle5uchy
- cle4uchy
- clerychy
Etymology of CLERUCHY
The term "cleruchy" has its roots in ancient Greece. It comes from the Greek word "klēroukhia" (κληρουχία), which is a compound word combining "klēros" (κλῆρος) meaning "lot" or "allotment" and "ekhein" (ἔχειν) meaning "to have" or "to possess".
In ancient Greece, a cleruchy referred to a system of colonization established by Athens in the 5th century BCE. Athenian citizens (cleruchs) were allotted plots of land (klēroi) in conquered territories, commonly in areas under threat of revolt or invasion. These cleruchies served as a way for Athens to maintain control and influence in strategic locations while also providing land to its citizens.
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