προκάθημαι

A. to be seated before, π. τοσοῦτο πρὸ τῆς ἄλλης Ἑλλάδος lie so far in front of Greece, of the Thessalians, Hdt. 7.172.

2. c. gen., to be seated or lie before a place, so as to defend it, ἐπὶ τῷ στόματι π. τῆς θαλάμης Arist. HA 550b5: hence, generally, protect, defend, τῶν ἑωυτοῦ, Ἰώνων, Hdt. 8.36, 9.106, cf. Th. 8.76, X. HG 5.2.4; τῆς Ῥώμης Plb. 2.24.15, al.; αἱ ‐καθήμεναι θεαὶ τῆς πόλεως SIG 694.50 (Elaea, ii B. C.): rare in Poets, φυλακὴν . . στρατιᾶς π., of sentinels, E. Rh. 6 (anap.).

II. preside over, τὸ προκαθήμενον τῆς πόλεως Pl. Lg. 758d; τοῦ πλήθους Arist. Pol. 1322b14: metaph., γεύσεως ὄσφρησις π. Ph. 1.603.

2. abs., sit in public or preside, Plb. 5.63.7, etc.; οἱ π. ἄρχοντες Id. 12.16.6.

b. sit at meals, καθ’ ἡλικίαν καὶ τιμήν Str. 3.3.7.