Rex (title)

The Latin title rex has the meaning of "king, ruler" (monarch).^[1][2] It is derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs. Its cognates include Sanskrit rājan, Gothic reiks, and Old Irish rí, etc. Its Greek equivalent is archon (ἄρχων), "leader, ruler, chieftain".

The chief magistrate of the Roman Kingdom was titled Rex Romae (King of Rome).

Usage

• Rex Catholicissimus (Most Catholic King), awarded by the Pope to the Spanish monarchs since 1493
• Romanorum Rex (King of the Romans), used by the German king since the 11th century
• Rex Britanniae (King of Britain), Æthelbald of Mercia (737)
• Rex Scottorum (King of the Scots), used by the Scottish king between the 11th century and 1707
• Rex Sclavorum (King of the Slavs), various Medieval Slavic rulers

See also

• R.
• Reich
• Dux
• Basileus
• Germanic king

References

1. Dale, Rodney; Puttick, Steve (1997-01-01). The Wordsworth Dictionary of Abbreviations and Acronyms. Wordsworth Editions. pp. 135. ISBN 9781853263859. r. rex regina.
2. Gray, Debra (2004-01-01). Public Services (uniformed). Heinemann. p. 35. ISBN 9780435456597.