An interesting snippet on Homeric kingship directly of relevance to Orlanthi tribal kingship:
The terms basileus and basileia are usually translated as “king” and “queen,” but not correctly so, if “royal” persons from dynasties are understood. In the epics, a dynastic context applies only to Priamos in Troy (Il. 20.215–41) and, in Greece, at most to Nestor (Od. 11.241–54, 281–6) and Agamemnon (Il. 2.100–8), whereas the majority of the basileis, like Achilleus, Diomedes, and Odysseus, hold their positions as a result of personal efforts, capacities, and wealth. They are best in war and in council and they maintain networks with other basileis outside of their own realms. Within those realms, they are not the only “kings.” Other leading men hold the same title, though they are personally inferior.11 The idea of a ruling dynasty seems so insignificant, say on Ithaka, that Odysseus’ son is not even a candidate for the leading position at first (Od. 1.394–8). So the term basileus does not assume our concept of monarchy but depends on the ideology of the “best” man.
