The political term despotism derives from the Greek word for household head

Evidence

The invention of despotism (prior to Montesquieu, it was the political philosopher Jean Bodin who, in the sixteenth century “introduced the noun ‘despotism’ to designate a specific form of government”) involves the translation of a domestic term into a political one-the despotes was the head of the household, not a political figure. — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 618 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The ancient household was governed by despotic rule, not freedom — Jessica Whyte, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights…, 156; The modern political concept of despotism began as a domestic household term — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab: A History of the…, 618

Broader Connections

• The modern political concept of despotism began as a domestic household term #expands (0.95) — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 618