Parakoimomenos
Encyclopedia
The parakoimōmenos was a Byzantine
court position
, usually reserved for eunuchs. Many of its holders, especially in the 9th and 10th centuries, functioned as the Byzantine Empire's chief ministers.
(r. 324–337), the notorious Chrysaphius
under Emperor Theodosius II
(r. 408–450), or Michael under Emperor Maurice
(r. 582–602), but it was most probably created in the 7th century. It is first attested securely only under Emperor Leo IV the Khazar
(r. 775–780), when Theophanes the Confessor
records the existence of three "koubikoularioi and parakoimomenoi". In the beginning, it was a modest office, given to those koubikoularioi — the eunuch servants of the Byzantine emperor's "sacred bedchamber" — who were tasked with sleeping outside the Byzantine emperor's chamber during the night as a security measure. As evidenced by seals from the 7th and 8th centuries, it was usually combined with other palace functions, such as the epi tēs trapezēs
, and its holders held lowly dignities such as ostiarios
. It is possible that in the cases where several Byzantine emperors reigned at the same time, a parakoimōmenos would be assigned to each.
From the mid-9th century, however, the office grew in importance, outstripping its nominal superior, the praipositos, until it came to be regarded as the highest post reserved for eunuchs, with its holders raised to the dignity of patrikios. Many of its holders, some of whom were not eunuchs, were able to use their proximity to the imperial person to exercise considerable influence. Especially during the reigns of weak or disinterested Byzantine emperors, men like Samonas
, Joseph Bringas
and Basil Lekapenos
functioned as chief ministers, while Emperor Basil the Macedonian (r. 867–886) was able to use this position to eventually usurp the throne from Emperor Michael III
(r. 842–867).
By the 11th century, it had assumed most of the old administrative functions of the praipositos as well. The post continued to be important in the 11th century, when it was still mostly held by eunuchs. In the 12th century, it had become an honorary dignity rather than an actual office, and was awarded to important court officials, including non-eunuchs. It nevertheless survived into the Palaiologan period, where it was divided into the parakoimōmenos tou koitōnos (Greek: ), ranking 17th in the imperial hierarchy, retaining the duties of the koitōn (the imperial bedchamber) and the parakoimōmenos tēs sphendonēs (Greek: ), ranking 16th and being responsible for the sphendonē, the ring
with the Byzantine emperor's personal seal. The two titles came to be seen more as honorary dignities and not as actual offices by the 14th century, and most of their holders were non-eunuch high officials, like Alexios Apokaukos
.
Byzantine 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...
court position
Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy
The Byzantine Empire had a complex system of aristocracy and bureaucracy, which was inherited from the Roman Empire. At the apex of the pyramid stood the Emperor, sole ruler and divinely ordained, but beneath him a multitude of officials and court functionaries operated the administrative...
, usually reserved for eunuchs. Many of its holders, especially in the 9th and 10th centuries, functioned as the Byzantine Empire's chief ministers.
History and functions
The office was used anachronistically by various Byzantine writers for prominent eunuch officials all the way back to Euphratas under Emperor Constantine IConstantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
(r. 324–337), the notorious Chrysaphius
Chrysaphius
Chrysaphius was a eunuch at the Eastern Roman court, who became the chief minister of Theodosius II . Effectively the ruler of the empire during his ascendancy, he pursued a policy of appeasement towards the Huns, which cost the empire far more gold than any military campaign, while amassing a...
under Emperor Theodosius II
Theodosius II
Theodosius II , commonly surnamed Theodosius the Younger, or Theodosius the Calligrapher, was Byzantine Emperor from 408 to 450. He is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian law code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople...
(r. 408–450), or Michael under Emperor Maurice
Maurice (emperor)
Maurice was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.A prominent general in his youth, Maurice fought with success against the Sassanid Persians...
(r. 582–602), but it was most probably created in the 7th century. It is first attested securely only under Emperor Leo IV the Khazar
Leo IV the Khazar
Leo IV the Khazar was Byzantine Emperor from 775 to 780 CE.Leo was the son of Emperor Constantine V by his first wife, Irene of Khazaria , the daughter of a Khagan of the Khazars...
(r. 775–780), when Theophanes the Confessor
Theophanes the Confessor
Saint Theophanes Confessor was a member of the Byzantine aristocracy, who became a monk and chronicler. He is venerated on March 12 in the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Church .-Biography:Theophanes was born in Constantinople of wealthy and noble iconodule parents: Isaac,...
records the existence of three "koubikoularioi and parakoimomenoi". In the beginning, it was a modest office, given to those koubikoularioi — the eunuch servants of the Byzantine emperor's "sacred bedchamber" — who were tasked with sleeping outside the Byzantine emperor's chamber during the night as a security measure. As evidenced by seals from the 7th and 8th centuries, it was usually combined with other palace functions, such as the epi tēs trapezēs
Epi tes trapezes
The epi tēs trapezēs was a Byzantine court post, responsible for the imperial banquets.-History:The office, more fully known as the domestikos tēs basilikēs trapezēs , epi tēs basilikēs trapezēs or epi tēs trapezēs tou despotou , is first mentioned as extant...
, and its holders held lowly dignities such as ostiarios
Ostiarios
Ostiarios was a Byzantine court dignity reserved for eunuch palace officials.The Patria of Constantinople mention an ostiarios Antiochos in the 6th century at the time of Justinian I, and a 7th-century seal records an ostiarios and koubikoularios...
. It is possible that in the cases where several Byzantine emperors reigned at the same time, a parakoimōmenos would be assigned to each.
From the mid-9th century, however, the office grew in importance, outstripping its nominal superior, the praipositos, until it came to be regarded as the highest post reserved for eunuchs, with its holders raised to the dignity of patrikios. Many of its holders, some of whom were not eunuchs, were able to use their proximity to the imperial person to exercise considerable influence. Especially during the reigns of weak or disinterested Byzantine emperors, men like Samonas
Samonas
Samonas was an Arab-born eunuch, who was captured by the Byzantines and became one of the most influential officials of the Byzantine Empire during the first decade of the 10th century.- Life :...
, Joseph Bringas
Joseph Bringas
Joseph Bringas was an important Byzantine eunuch official in the reigns of Emperor Constantine VII and Emperor Romanos II , serving as chief minister and effective regent during the latter...
and Basil Lekapenos
Basil Lekapenos
Basil Lekapenos was the chief administrator of the Byzantine Empire from 945 until 985.An illegitimate son of the emperor Romanos I Lekapenos, he was castrated when young....
functioned as chief ministers, while Emperor Basil the Macedonian (r. 867–886) was able to use this position to eventually usurp the throne from Emperor Michael III
Michael III
Michael III , , Byzantine Emperor from 842 to 867. Michael III was the third and traditionally last member of the Amorian-Phrygian Dynasty...
(r. 842–867).
By the 11th century, it had assumed most of the old administrative functions of the praipositos as well. The post continued to be important in the 11th century, when it was still mostly held by eunuchs. In the 12th century, it had become an honorary dignity rather than an actual office, and was awarded to important court officials, including non-eunuchs. It nevertheless survived into the Palaiologan period, where it was divided into the parakoimōmenos tou koitōnos (Greek: ), ranking 17th in the imperial hierarchy, retaining the duties of the koitōn (the imperial bedchamber) and the parakoimōmenos tēs sphendonēs (Greek: ), ranking 16th and being responsible for the sphendonē, the ring
Ring
Ring may refer to:*Ring , a decorative ornament worn on fingers, toes, or around the arm or neck-Computing:* Ring , a layer of protection in computer systems...
with the Byzantine emperor's personal seal. The two titles came to be seen more as honorary dignities and not as actual offices by the 14th century, and most of their holders were non-eunuch high officials, like Alexios Apokaukos
Alexios Apokaukos
Alexios Apokaukos was a leading Byzantine statesman and high-ranking military officer during the reigns of emperors Andronikos III Palaiologos and John V Palaiologos...
.