kephale, kephalatikevon
A term denoting the highest official of the Late Byzantine provincial administration. From the mid-13th century on, the office of the kephale gradually substituted that of the doukas. From the 14th century on, the kephale was political and military head of the kapetanikion, an administrative division smaller than a theme, or of the castle. In the Empire of Trebizond the officer was also called kephalatikevon.

megas papias
Head of the court officials who were assigned with the maintenance of buildings.

protosebastos
Ηigh-ranking title usually bestowed upon close relatives of the emperor. The title was introduced by Alexios I Komnenos. In the 12th century it was awarded to close associates of the emperor and to members of aristocratic families, such as the Palaiologos, Tarchaneiotes, Raoul and Metochites families.

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.

typikon
Foundation document of a monastery compiling the rules regarding its administrative organization and liturgic rituals, as well as the comportment inside a cenobitic monastery. The monastic typika could also include the biography (vita) of the monastery founder along with a catalogue of the movable or immovable property of the monastery. They constitute an important source for the study of the monastic life, while at the same time they shed light on many aspects of the Byzantine society. The liturgical typika were calendars with instructions for each day’s services, liturgical books with rules arranging the celebration rituals.