(urth) what is an autarch?

[António Pedro Marques]

Jane Delawney wrote (27-09-2010 02:56):
> On 26/09/10 22:36, Jeff Wilson wrote:
>> In that case, what distinguishes autarchs from those rulers who are
>> not?
>
> I submit that save in the case of Ymar, who was the first, the
> distinction is precisely in the ingestion of the memories of the
> predecessor.

I don't think one needs to go to that. A monarchy is characterised by
hereditary succession, divine right, exercise of power for its own sake. The
Autarchy is supposed to have been the opposite: non-hereditary, rulers from
lowly backgrounds, rule in the name of the community. In fact, quite like
*some* periods of the roman imperial system.

Of course, like has been said, someone not familiar with the term 'autarch', 
or only with a previous meaning of it, might just take it for an adequately 
high regal title.