phratry

The children invariably belong to the phratry of the mother, in this most primitive type.

Very often the bitterest feuds existed between families within the tribe and of the same phratry, although if attacked by a stranger people all would unite for mutual protection.

The phratries have no social significance, there is no central clan house, no recognised head, no meeting, council or any organisation, nor does the clan as such ever act as a body.

Traces of this union of immigrants with older inhabitants have been detected in the combination of Zeus Herkeios with Apollo Patro�s as the ancient gods of the phratry.

Outside the self-sustaining phratry was the stranger, including the wayfarer and the vagrant; and partly merged in these classes was the beggar, the recognized recipient of the alms of the community.