theoros

The theoroi ( or ) in ancient Greece were sacred ambassadors, messengers sent out by the state which was about to organize a Panhellenic game or festival. Theoroi were both received and hosted by the theorodokoi. In the classical Greek world, theoroi meant something like "observers" and they were envoys sent by city-states to consult oracles, to give offerings at famous shrines or attend festivals.

==History== ===Etymology and purpose=== Theoria was a word that referred to the duties of the theoroi; it came to mean any act of observing, and was used by Greek philosophers, generally, in the sense of "contemplation". The meaning of the term theoria possibly gives insight into the original purpose that the theoroi held, as they are thought to have been originally to oversee the games or festivals they were attending. As time went on their roles became more significant and their purpose evolved to be much more important in the setting up and execution of the events that took place.