Episkopoi
Introduction '''''Episkopoi''''' (, sing. , ''episkopos'', literally "overseer"), Latinized '''''episcopus'''''/'''''episcopi''''', were inspectors who were sometimes sent by the Athenians to subject states. Harpocration compares them to the Lacedaemonian harmosts, and says that they were also called ''phylakes'' (φύλακες, "guardians"). It appears that these ''episkopoi'' received a salary at the cost of the cities over which they presided.The term was used in early Christianity to refer to overseers of local churches. It has often been translated as "overseers," "pastors," "shepherds," or "bishops."
See also *Bishop*Epistates
References *Aristoph. Aves, 1022, &c., with Schol. '; *Harpocrat. s. v. ; Bockh, Publ. Econ. of Athens^ pp. 156, 238j 2d ed. ;*Schomann, Antiq. Juris Pub. Graec. p. 432.18.