Category: Glossary of Byzantine Terms

Khazars: Turkic-speaking people who were the major power in the Black Sea steppes, with centres o...

Genikon(sekreton): The general treasury and main fiscal department of government after the 7th ce...

Origenism:Attempt to fuse the fundamentals ofGreek philosophy with the Christian creed, interpret...

Despotes: High imperial title in the later Byzantine period, generally reserved for members of th...

Turmarch: commander of a tourma; senior military commander with fiscal and judicial responsibilit...

Demesne: Western form of land tenure, referring to the lands retained by a lord for his own use (...

The name of several officials, the most important being the eparch of the City, the civil governo...

Ducat: Two types of coin from the duchy of Venice: (1) the thirteenthand early fourteenth-century...

Oikonomos: The financial officer of a large church monastery, responsible for the management of i...

Alloy containing silver and gold in a Byzantine coin.

Diadem: originally a head-band, then imperial Roman symbol of majesty from the fourth century on;...

Davidic of or pertaining to David, king of Israel, or to his family

Scriptorium: A writing bureau or clerical copying establishment, usually associated with a monast...

Roga: Originally a salary paid monthly, quarterly, or annually; from at least the 9th century als...

Opsikion: one of the earliest themes to emerge; based in north-west Asia Minor, closest to Consta...

Exarchate: territorial and administrative unit commanded by an exarch; in modern usage, often the...

Kommerkiarioi: Fiscal officials responsible for state-supervised commerce and the taxes thereon. ...

Hexagram: Silver coin introduced by Heraclius, lit. “six grams,” 12 to a nomisma. Although issued...

Thrakesioi: one of the earliest themes, based in western Anatolia with headquarters at Chonai.

Synodikon: An inventory in a church or monastery that registered items donated and the commemorat...