Agency Dictionary

Emporoi

nounPronunciation: /ˈɛm.pəˌrɔɪ/

In Portuguese: Emporoi

What does “Emporoi” mean?

Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.

Etymology

Plural of ancient Greek emporos, formed from en ("in, on") and poros ("passage, journey"). The word first meant a person on a journey, in particular a passenger on someone else's ship, and then the merchant who travels with goods to sell them abroad. From it come emporia ("trade") and emporion ("trading place"), the source of emporium. Modern historians use the Greek plural, in Latin letters, for the long-distance traders of the Greek cities.

Usage note

A transliterated Greek plural, normally set in italics; the singular is emporos. It is a term of ancient history, not of general English.

Synonyms

merchants
traders
sea traders

Often confused with

kapeloi: The kapeloi were the local retailers who sold in the market of their own city; the emporoi traded between cities and across the sea.

Word family

emporos
emporium

Usage examples

This context is vastly different from the golden age of Athens, where the “emporoi" or "merchants.” didn’t seem to lack the confidence to take risks or expand their ventures.

Concept

Golden Age of AthensThe Golden Age of Athens was a fifth-century BCE period of democratic stability, cultural flourishing, and economic prosperity led by the statesman Pericles. It laid…

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.7 - Economy in Crisis Pt.1March 16, 2023Read the edition

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Also from these editions: terms

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Chitonnoun: A draped garment or tunic worn by men and women in ancient Greece, usually fastened at the shoulders by brooches.
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Eruditeadjective: Characterized by great knowledge, extensive learning, and scholarly cultivation across diverse disciplines.
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