Hierophylakes, also known as hierodidaskaloi, hieronomoi, or hierophantai,[1] were priests for the Eumolpidae[2] involved in performing acts of sacrifice.
[3] Pausanias stated that new hierophantai were elected every quadrennial, and so individuals did not maintain an existence within this role for their life-time.
[2] They are also mentioned in the HGK 1 inscription, an important component of the state calendar created in Kos about 360 B.C.
The Hierophylakes alongside an archeuontes are noted to make a preliminary announcement before the sacrifice of an oxen.
[4] The Hierophylakes as a role is also mentioned during the early Roman Empire in a votive inscription to Tiberius and Livia.