The Byzantine title Magistros during 9 - the beginning of 12 c. Sigillfgraphical contribution to completion of Magistros’s title Holders list

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Abstract:

The present paper deals with the evolution of the Byzantine rank of magistros during IX – the beginning of XII c. The main aspects of this evolution are the transformation of magistros from a position into a title, the equalize of the status of so-called ‘state magistroi’ with the honorable ones, the easier access to the title and its gradual devaluation in the system of the Byzantine rank hierarchy in the Middle Byzantine period. For a long period magistros was an exceptional high rank title which was given even to the closest relatives of the Byzantine emperor. With only one exception of Bardas Skleros of the end of the X c. (the latter gained the title of kouropalates in 989), the title magistros practically remained the highest possible level that persons not belonging to the emperor’s closest relatives were able to achieve in the hierarchy until the middle of the XI c. Special attention is paid to the progress and the scale of the title’s devaluation before and after mid-XI c. as well as the circle of persons who used to have an access to the rank of magistros. It is also discusses the practice with the foreign persons of Royals and aristocratic families of importance for the Empire who were also awarded with this title. Bearing in mind the major contribution which the Byzantine sigillography is making to reveal the title’s holders and a list containing 213 Byzantine magistroi known up to now by their lead seals from the period under consideration is made.

Keywords:

magistros, title, Byzantium, rank hierarchy, sigillography, magistros’s title holders list.

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