Reiks

Reiks (pronunciation /ri:ks/; Latinized as rix) is a Gothic title for a tribal ruler, often translated as "king". In the Gothic Bible, it translates to the Greek árchōn (ἄρχων). It is presumably translated as basiliskos (βασιλίσκος "petty king") in the Passio of Sabbas the Goth.

The Gothic Thervingi were divided into subdivisions of territory and people called kunja (singular kuni, cognate with English kin), by a reiks. In times of a common threat, one of the reiks would be selected as a kindins, or head of the Empire (translated as "judge", Latin iudex, Greek δικαστής).

Herwig Wolfram suggested the position was different from the Roman definition of a rex ("king"), and is better described as that of a tribal chief (see Germanic king). A reiks had a lower order of optimates or megistanes (μεγιστάνες, presumably translating mahteigs) beneath him, on whom he could call on for support.

The term reiks is the origin of the Celtic word adopted from the early Germanic peoples (as *rīks; see also Reich). Later also adapted into both Greek and Latin.

It also figures prominently as second element in Gothic names, Latinized as -rix, and often anglicized as -ric, e.g. in Theoderic (Þiuda-reiks). The use of the suffix extended into the Merovingian dynasty, with kings given names such as Childeric, and it survives in modern German names such as Ulrich, Dietrich, Heinrich, Richard, Friedrich.

See also

• Germanic king
• Reich
• King of the Visigoths
• King of the Ostrogoths