Kletorologion
The Klētorologion of Philotheos (
imperial hierarchy.[2] In the preface to his work, he explicitly states that he compiled this treatise as a "precise exposé of the order of imperial banquets, of the name and value of each title, complied on the basis of ancient klētοrologia", and recommends its adoption at the imperial table.[1][3]
Sections
Philotheos's work survives only as an
Constantine Porphyrogennetos (r. 913–959).[4]
It is divided into four sections:
- Section I is the introductory, and gives a brief overview of all the court ranks and state offices of the Byzantine Empire, which it divides into five categories: orders of rank for "bearded men" (i.e. non-eunuchs), great offices of the state, minor offices of the various bureaus and ministries, orders of rank for eunuchs, and great offices of the state reserved for eunuchs.[5]
- Sections II and III give the order in which officials should be introduced to the imperial banquets. Section II gives the highest dignitaries, those who could be seated at the Byzantine emperor's own table, while Section III deals with middle-ranking and lower-ranking officials, as well as with the embassies from the other
- Section IV is the longest portion of the text, and is addressed to the court atriklinēs giving advice on arranging the various banquets throughout the year, beginning with the celebrations for Christmas. It also contains two attached memoranda, one on the largesses doled out by the Byzantine emperor to officials on certain occasions, and the other on the salaries of the atriklinai officials.[3][6]
- A short appendix follows (chapter 54 of the De Ceremoniis) with the various ecclesiastic officials and their precedence, as well as the Notitia Episcopatuum of pseudo-Epiphanius, a list of episcopal sees.[3]
References
Sources
- OCLC 1046639111.
- ISBN 0-19-504652-8.