The role of dignitaries of lower-rank thematic units in Byzantine society

Bibliographic Data

ID20477496
AuthorsMilos Cvetkovic (0000-0001-5470-1142, Institute for Byzantine Studies of the SASA, Belgrade, corresponding author)
Year2022
Issue59
Pages55-87
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueZbornik radova Vizantoloskog instituta (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0584-9888 • E-ISSN: 2406-0917
PublisherNational Library of Serbia (PUBLISHER • RS)
DOI10.2298/zrvi2259055c
OpenAlexW4320148059
LanguageEN
References cited14

The paper aims to elucidate the place and role, i.e., the real power of functionaries of lower-ranking units in the Byzantine theme system. Their status in the Byzantine bureaucratic and aristocratic society was essentially determined by honorary dignities and by their place in the commanding staff, which was accompanied by precisely defined powers in the army and administration. Military powers or, more specifically, access to military resources, were one of the main factors in the process of acquiring influence. However, the real power of a functionary in society often transcended that framework. In addition to the factors listed above, it also rested on personal wealth and familial or other ties with the most influential circles in society. The real power they wielded was reflected in their participation in the most important political developments in the Empire, which will be discussed in more detail in the text

Ancient history · Bureaucracy · Byzantine architecture · Empire · Genealogy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · World Wide Web · Byzantine Studies and History · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Computer Science · History · Law · Mathematics

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