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augusta
A formal title bestowed by an emperor on his wife, the empress, frequently after the birth of a son and heir. Rarely and extraordinary the title was bestowed on distinguished personages who belong to the emperor’s family.
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caesar
In the Roman Empire the title of Caesar was given to the Emperor. From the reign of Diocletian (284-305) on this title was conferred on the young co-emperor. This was also the highest title on the hierarchy of the Byzantine court. In the 8th c. the title of Caesar was usually given to the successor of the throne. In the late 11th c. this office was downgraded and from the 14th c. on it was mainly conferred on foreign princes.
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droungarios
A military rank, first mentioned in the 7th century. This officer was in command of a droungos, a subdivision of the provincial army (thema).
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epi tou kanikleiou
An imperial official who closely collaborated with the emperor, head of the imperial chancery, in charge of controlling all imperial documents before and after they were signed. The holder of the office played an important role in the imperial court, as well as in the administration.
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logothetes
A title designating high-rank officials, both administrative and ecclesiastical. Their responsibilities were mainly in the economic domain. The office of the logothetes of the Patriarchate gradually gained in importance after the 12th century. As for the logothetes of the metropolises, they seem to have assumed judicial jurisdiction.
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logothetes tou dromou
Administrative Byzantine title. Initially official in charge of the public post. From the 7th C he acquired a new role and his responsibilities included ceremonial duties, protection of emperor, general supervision of diplomatic relations and collection of political information.
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patrikios
(from lat. patricius) Higher title of honour, placed, according to the "Tactika" of the 9th and the 10th centuries, between anthypatos and protospatharios. It was given to the most important governors and generals. Gradually, however, it fell into disuse and from the 12th century did not exist any more.
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protostrator
A Byzantine military office, accorded to the chief of imperial stratores or hippokomoi («grooms»). The title is first mentionned in the 8th century. In the 9th and 10th century, his major duty was to accompany the Emperor while on horseback. In the 12th century he was one of the highest officials of the Byzantine court and he also commanded troops.
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Synaxarion of Constantinople
A compilation of brief accounts on every saint that was celebrated during a liturgical year, arranged by months. It was one of the first and most thorough compilation of synaxaria and it is considered a valuable source for the Byzantine studies. Its compilation must be dated to the 10th century and was probably linked to the tradition of the Church of Constantinople. It was the model for many synaxaria compiled later (such as the Menologion of Basil II), and it was completed or slightly altered in some parts through the years. It was published in 1902 by the Belgian scholar Hippolyte Delehaye (Synaxarium ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae e codice Sirmondiano [Bruxelles 1902]).
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tourmarch
Civilian and military commander of a tourma, subdivision of a theme.
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