πρωτοστάτης

A. one who stands first, esp. the first man on the right of a line, right-hand man, ὁ π. τοῦ δεξιοῦ κέρως Th. 5.71; but also οἱ π. the front-rank men, X. Cyr. 3.3.57, 6.3.24, Lac. 11.5, etc.; either sense possible in Teles p.4 H.

2. = λοχαγός, Ael. Tact. 5.1, Arr. Tact. 5.6.

3. man in the uneven rows in a λόχος, opp. ἐπιστάτης, Ascl. Tact. 2.3, etc.

II. metaph., chief or leader of a party, Act.Ap. 24.5; π. τοῦ χοροῦ τῶν μαθητῶν Porph. Chr. 26.1; π. τοῦ θητικοῦ καὶ οἰκετικοῦ Men.Prot.p.8 D.