Byzantine complexity
Encyclopedia
Byzantine complexity is a phrase used to refer to anything overly and unnecessarily complex; so complex as to be completely beyond understanding. This term often also connotes
that it is not worth understanding.
was the end result of centuries of Roman
rule and bureaucratic
growth. During this era combination of growth of the aristocratic class
, the difficulties of administering an increasingly expanding Roman republic
led to a complex and opaque system of government
that no one who had not grown up inside it had much hope of understanding.
In fact, it was so complex that governments that had to deal with the Roman government used the term 'Byzantine complexity' to refer to it. Over time, 'Byzantine Complexity' became a general term used to describe any overly complex system.
Connotation
A connotation is a commonly understood subjective cultural or emotional association that some word or phrase carries, in addition to the word's or phrase's explicit or literal meaning, which is its denotation....
that it is not worth understanding.
History
The Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
was the end result of centuries of Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
rule and bureaucratic
Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution, and are occasionally characterized by officialism and red tape.-Weberian bureaucracy:...
growth. During this era combination of growth of the aristocratic class
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
, the difficulties of administering an increasingly expanding Roman republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
led to a complex and opaque system of government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
that no one who had not grown up inside it had much hope of understanding.
In fact, it was so complex that governments that had to deal with the Roman government used the term 'Byzantine complexity' to refer to it. Over time, 'Byzantine Complexity' became a general term used to describe any overly complex system.