MATHETΩN

The Mathetai do have officers, of sorts, in each Assembling, although they would object strenuously to my calling them that. Among themselves they use Greek terms for these, but to the outside world they offer English equivalents.

The Olders or Seniors are a senate comprising simply any man above a certain age who has been a Mathetes above a certain number of years. They make decisions for the Assembling and chart the course for the Mathetai. They are basically the government as you and I would think of it.

The Slaves are the executives, putting into action the Olders’ decisions and thus supporting the whole mighty work of the Mathetai. They are accountants or tailors, logisticians or carpenters, and all unusually intelligent and active men and women.

The Assembling Proper is simply all the Assembling except children and novices; every Mathetes must be present for them to act. They serve as a kind of supreme court, judging complaints between Mathetes, even excluding a Mathetes from the Mathetai if they deem it necessary, and, in certain cases, overruling the Olders.

The Visitor (they insist on this archaic usage, although I would offer something like Overwatcher instead) is a sort of ombudsman or auditor. He is a mature, usually married, man with an unusual gift for fairness, integrity, and counsel. He keeps records on the acts of the Slaves, on the decisions of the Olders, and on the hearings of the Assembling Proper and makes them available to all. He gives State of the Assembling speeches at intervals and otherwise reflects back to the Mathetai what their course has been and may be. He also observes the individual Mathetes and offers him or her counsel. In certain cases, he can overrule the Olders’ decisions.