Arch

 The Root “Arch”: rule

The Greek root arch means “rule.

An archon was an upper-level magistrate or “ruler” in ancient Greece, and today can refer to any type of “ruler.”

There are many types of government “rule.”

A monarch is a single “ruler” such as a queen or king, a system of government referred to as a monarchy.

An oligarchy, on the other hand, is a “rule” by a few powerful and influential people, entitled oligarchs.

Matriarchs and patriarchs can lead smaller familial clans or communities, the former a rule by an older and powerful female (a matriarchy), the latter by a similar type of male (a patriarchy).

If a nation or community is under the throes of anarchy, it means that there is not a “ruler” at all, but rather a state of lawlessness. An anarchist is one who supports no “rule” of law governing a people.

1. archon: “ruler”
2. monarch: a single “ruler,” such as a king or queen
3. monarchy: a type of government “ruled” by a queen or king
4. oligarchy: “rule” by a small group of powerful people
5. oligarch: a member of an oligarchy
6. matriarch: female “ruler” over a clan or small community
7. matriarchy: system of “rule” whereby a powerful female is the head of a clan or small community
8. patriarch: male “ruler” over a clan or small community
9. patriarchy: system of “rule” whereby a powerful male is the head of a clan or small community
10. anarchy: a system where there is no “rule”
11. anarchist: one who believes in having no centralized “rule” by a government
12. hierarchy: levels of “rule” within an organization of some kind
13. archive: historical documents traditionally kept by “rulers” of a government