προστασία

A. standing in front, κατὰ τὴν τῶν θηρίων π., i.e. opposite the animals which were posted in front, Plb. 11.1.3.

II. standing before or at the head of, leadership, τοῦ δήμου Th. 2.65; τοῦ πλήθους Id. 6.89: abs., chieftainship, presidency, ἐπ’ ἐτησίῳ π. v.l. for προστατείᾳ in Id. 2.80; leadership, authority, οἱ προστασίας ἀξιούμενοι D. 19.295; ἡ ἰατρικὴ π. authority or dignity of a physician, Hp. Praec. 10, cf. Medic. 1; ἡ τοῦ ξυγγραφέως π. Plb. 12.28.6, cf. Chrysipp.Stoic. 3.43, Plot. 3.4.3.

b. governorship, Ph. 2.63; = Lat. praefectura, Id. 1.675.

c. superintendence, care, charge, δῑ ἣν ποιεῖται ἡμῶν π. UPZ 20.28 (ii B. C.); πρὸ τῆς π., of a midwife, before taking up a charge, Sor. 1.4 cod. (nisi leg. πρὸς ταῖς π.); τοῦ σωματίου π. ποιησαμένη, of a wet-nurse, PSI 3.204.8 (i A.D.), cf. PStrassb. 40.25 (vi A.D.); management, εὐθηνίας PTeb. 397.28 (ii A.D.); of a temple, PTheb.Bank 2.6 (ii B.C.); ἡ τοῦ θεοῦ π. καὶ ὅλου ἡμῶν τοῦ οἴκου OGI 331.22 (Pergam., ii B.C.).

2. outward dignity, pomp, show, etc., οὐ μόνον π. βασιλική, ἀλλὰ καὶ δύναμις Plb. 4.2.6, cf. 5.43.3, D.S. 18.23 (leg. βασιλείων); π. τῶν ἱερῶν Plb. 1.55.8.

III. patronage, protection, SIG 685.97 (Magn. Mae., ii B.C.), IPE 12.79.9(Olbia, i A.D.), J. AJ 16.2.4, etc.

2. = Lat. patronatus, Plu. Rom. 13; = Lat. patrocinium, Lib. Or. 47.7 (pl.), al.

3. in bad sense, partisanship, D. 10.52 (pl.); collusion, champerty, ταῦτ’ οὐχ ὁμολογουμένη π.; Id. 30.30; προστασίᾳ(‐σίαι codd.) τινὲς ὠνοῦνται καὶ πωλοῦσι Thphr. Fr. 97.3.

IV. place before a building, court (= προστάς, Did. ap. Harp.), τὰ τῆς Ἀθηναίων Ἀκροπόλεως Προπύλαια μετενεγκεῖν εἰς τὴν προστασίαν τῆς Καδμείας Aeschin. 2.105; τῆς περὶ τὸ Διονυσιακὸν θέατρον προστασίας Plb. 15.30.4; in this sense oxyt. προστασιά acc. to Hdn.Gr.1.294.