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Tagus (Ancient Greek:τᾱγός, τάγης) was aThessalian title for a leader or general, especially the military leader of theThessalian League. When occasion required, a chief magistrate was elected under the name of Tagus, whose commands were obeyed by all the four districts of Thessaly (Phthiotis,Thessaliotis,Histiaeotis,Pelasgiotis). He is sometimes called king ("basileus",Herodotus, V.63), and sometimes "archon" (Dionysius. V.74).
Accordingly,Pollux (I.128), in his list of military designations, classes together theBoeotarchs of the Thebans, theKings of Sparta, thePolemarchs of the Athenians, (in reference to their original duties), and the Tagoi of the Thessalians. WhenJason of Pherae was Tagus, he had an army of more than 8,000 cavalry and not less than 20,000hoplites. When Thessaly was not united under a Tagus, the subject towns possessed more independence.Philip II of Macedon and his sonAlexander the Great exercised control over Thessaly as elected Tagoi. In later times some states called their ordinary magistrates "Tagoi".
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870).Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. London: John Murray.
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