1. Members of the aristocratic landholding class in ancient Athens, especially before the democratic reforms of the 6th century BCE.
Usage: historical; plural form; singular is 'eupatrid'; from Greek eupatridai, meaning 'those of good father'

Examples

• The eupatrids dominated Athenian politics and held most of the magistracies in the early archaic period.
• Solon's reforms challenged the exclusive power of the eupatrids by extending political rights to other classes.
• The eupatrids controlled vast estates and derived their wealth primarily from agriculture.
• Conflict between the eupatrids and the common people eventually led to the establishment of democracy in Athens.
• Many eupatrids traced their lineage back to the founding families of Attica.