gğnos

gğnos (pl. genē), in the Greek social system, a ‘clan’ or group of families claiming descent in the male line from one ancestor; it was narrower than a phratry. Naturally most is heard about noble families whose ultimate ancestor was reputedly a hero or god; their family name was usually in patronymic form (see NAMES), meaning ‘the descendants of …’. Not all citizens were members of a genos; the Athenian gene were probably entirely aristocratic. Powerful gene at Athens were the Philaidae (the clan of Miltiades and Cimon) and the Alcmaeonidae. The genos could come together as a body for the specific function of worshipping the ancestor; it generally met at least once a year to elect officials, pass decrees, and enrol new members, who had to be the lawful (including adopted) sons of existing members. At Athens the gene were often referred to as the Eupatridae.