151. The office of Asiarch was of this nature, and it is
frequently mentioned in Aristides, the Inscriptions, etc. It
was annual and elective. None but the vainest citizens could
desire the honour; none but the most wealthy could support
the expense. See in the Patres Apostol. tom. ii. p. 200
[Epist. Eccl. Smyrn. de Martyrio Polycarpi, c. 12], with how
much indifference Philip the Asiarch conducted himself in
the martyrdom of Polycarp. There were likewise Bithyniarchs,
Lyciarchs, etc.