AICHMALOTARCHA, a Greek term signifying the Prince of the Captivity , or Chief of the Captives. Thus they are called who, as the Jews pretend, had the command or government of the people, during the captivity of Babylon1. They believe these Princes or Governours to have been taken constantly out of the Tribe of Judah, and family of David. But they would be very much puzzled to prove the real existence of their supposed Aichmalotarchs.
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Footnotes
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Translators’ note. The Eastern Jews had their Princes of the Captivity as the Western Jews their Patriarchs. By the Eastern Jews are meant those who are settled at Babylon, in Chaldæa, Assyria, and Persia; and they who dwell in Judæa, Italy, Egypt, and other parts of the Roman Empire, were called Western Jews. There was no Prince of the Captivity before the end of the second Century. Huna was the first invested with this Character about the time above mentioned. The Office continued till the eleventh Century. The Princes of the Captivity had their residence at Babylon; there they were installed with Ceremony, held Courts of Justice, &c. See more of them in Basnage Histoire des Juifs, l. 3. c. 4. ↩