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Description

Third piece of the quicky sketch challenge I’m doing with Theophilia

The position of spatharios (“sword-bearer”) is illustrative of a feature critical in the structural integrity of the byzantine imperial order, that of awarded titles, or dignities. In themselves, they were meaningless as they did not reflect any special duties within the administration or the palace but the prestige attached to them gave authority in adequation to the holder’s status. By conferring ranks within an elaborate hierarchy, to which were given honors and awards, the emperor ensured that the rich and powerful would always see Constantinople as the heart of their world, negating secessionist tendencies. Thus the interests of the aristocratic clans were intertwined with those of the capital in such an intimate way that even at the height of crisis, the Empire always avoided implosion.

Description

Third piece of the quicky sketch challenge I’m doing with Theophilia

The position of spatharios (“sword-bearer”) is illustrative of a feature critical in the structural integrity of the byzantine imperial order, that of awarded titles, or dignities. In themselves, they were meaningless as they did not reflect any special duties within the administration or the palace but the prestige attached to them gave authority in adequation to the holder’s status. By conferring ranks within an elaborate hierarchy, to which were given honors and awards, the emperor ensured that the rich and powerful would always see Constantinople as the heart of their world, negating secessionist tendencies. Thus the interests of the aristocratic clans were intertwined with those of the capital in such an intimate way that even at the height of crisis, the Empire always avoided implosion.