Discussion Pages

Autokrator: Greek equivalent of the Latin imperator, emperor, used especially after the 7th centu...

Egyptian population who spoke the Coptic language; after Egypt’s mid-seventh-century conquest by ...

Uzes:A branch of the Oghuz confederation of Turkic-speaking peoples; ousted the Pechenegs from th...

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

Augustus (m.), Augusta (f.) senior emperor within a group of coemperors, or within a single famil...

Circus factions: associations that staged circus games; fervent supporters’ associations of one o...

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

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

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

Genikon Logothesion: The general treasury and main fiscal department of government after the seve...

Normans: people from north-west France, originally of Scandinavian origin; in the eleventh centur...

Aktemon: A peasant with no property, no oxen or plough.

Alloy containing silver and gold in a Byzantine coin.

Nomisma: Lat. solidus, the gold coin introduced by Constantine I which remained the basis for the...

Diocese: Lat. dioecesa, Gk. Dioikêsis, an administrative unit consisting of several provinces; fr...

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

Thema: A “theme,” from the early 9th century the technical term for the district across which sol...

Ecumenical councils: (from oikoumenikos, ‘worldwide’) conferences of the bishops of the whole chu...

Danishmend: Turkoman dynasty that ruled over Cappadocia, Sebasteia and Melitene from late elevent...