 The state was ruled by a king , the wanax ( ϝάναξ ) , whose role was religious and perhaps also military and judicial . The wanax covered virtually all aspects of palatial life , from religious feasting and offerings to the distribution of goods , craftsmen and troops . Under him was the lāwāgetas ( " the leader of the people " ) , whose role appears mainly religious . His activities possibly overlap with the wanax and is usually seen as the second @-@ in @-@ command . Both wanax and lāwāgetas were at the head of a military aristocracy known as the eqeta ( " companions " or " followers " ) , The land possessed by the wanax is usually the témenos ( te @-@ me @-@ no ) . There is also at least one instance of a person , Enkhelyawon , at Pylos , who appears titleless in the written record but whom modern scholars regard as being probably a king . 
