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Anax is an ancient Greek word for "king". It was one of two Greek titles traditionally translated this way, the other being basileus.
The word anax derives from "wanax", and written in Linear B as "wa-na-ka". "Anax" is more properly translated as "high king", and meant as a king who exercises overlordship over other kings. It is the title attributed to Agamemnon and to Priam by Homer. This possible hierarchy of one "anax" exercising power over several local "basileis" probably hints to a proto-feudal political organization of Bronze Age Greece. The Linear B word "anakteros" (wa-na-ka-te-ro), meaning "royal", and the Greek word "anaktoron", meaning "palace", are derived from "anax". "Anax" is also a ceremonial epithet of the God Zeus ("Zeus Anax") in his capacity as overlord of the Universe, including the rest of the Gods.
See also: Anax imperator
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