ἱππικόν
hippikón
G2461 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A body of horsemen; cavalry force. Refers collectively to those who fight or travel on horseback as a military unit, typically distinguished from infantry. The term can also refer to activities, contests, or matters relating to horses or mounted troops in Hellenistic and Roman contexts.
Semantic Range
cavalry, body of horsemen, mounted troops, the cavalry arm (as part of the army), equestrian (pertaining to horses or horsemanship), matters or contests relating to horses
Root / Etymology
From ἵππος (híppos, 'horse'), with neuter suffix indicating a collective or abstract noun; formed from the stem ἱππικ- related to horses. The adjective ἱππικός means 'pertaining to horses'; ἱππικόν in the neuter functions substantivally to denote 'the cavalry.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἱππικόν most frequently refers to organized groups of horsemen in military contexts, distinguishing them from πεζικόν (pezikón, infantry). In military treatises, histories, and official decrees from the 5th century BCE onward, the term denotes both the cavalry force and, by extension, activities or contests involving horses. In Koine usage—including the LXX and NT periods—ἱππικόν retains its military sense. English translations often narrow the term to 'horsemen' or 'cavalry,' but it can encompass a more institutional sense, i.e., 'the cavalry corps' or 'the cavalry arm.' Unlike ἱππεύς (individual horseman), ἱππικόν emphasizes the collective unit. The term is not found in the New Testament but occurs in Hellenistic-period documents and literature, retaining much the same sense as in earlier Greek usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a derivative of ἵππος; the cavalry force:--horse(-men).
Root Family
ἱππικόν (hippikon) — pertaining to horses, mounted force, cavalry
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2461-01 |
ἱππικοῦ | ippikou | ADJ.S GEN N SG |
horsemen | of the cavalry force | cavalry force | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2461-01 |
Revelation 9:16 | ἱππικοῦ | ippikou | ADJ.S GEN N SG |
horsemen | of the cavalry force | cavalry force |