Kerykes

The kerykes /ˈkɛrɪˌkiːz/ or ceryces /ˈsɛrɪˌsiːz/ (Ancient Greek: Κήρυκες, pl. of Κῆρυξ, Keryx) of Bronze Age Pylos 1200 BC, home to the aged Homeric hero Nestor and the Neleides, are listed in the Linear B tablets as 𐀏𐀬𐀐 ka-ru-ke serving the 𐀨𐀷𐀒𐀪 ra-wa-ko-ri, the commander of armed forces. In Athens, this office became ceremonial, functioning from the Leokoreion, a building site at the Dipylon Gate. Linear B tablets that refer to the keryx mention the office in context with 𐀁𐀔𐁀𐀀𐀩𐀊 e-ma-a₂ (e-ma-ha) a-re-ja, Hermes Areias, meaning either the Warrior, or the Curser (aras).