Basileus

Basileus, ancient Greek βασιλεύς ( basileús ) ( genitive βασιλέως ( BASILEOS ) ), modern greek βασιλιάς ( vasiljás: "King " ) was the title of Emperor of the Byzantine Empire and several Mycenaean and Greek rulers and kings.

The female form is Basilissa, ancient Greek βασίλισσα, and was used for both wives of a king as well as for self-ruling monarchs.

Origin of the word

The etymology of the word " Basileus " is unclear. Most linguists assume that it is a non - Greek word that has been adopted in the Greek Bronze Age of already existing in the eastern Mediterranean languages.

The term " Basileus " ( " qa -si -re- u" ) was already on the Linear B tablets from the 13th or early 12th century BC, were found in several Mycenaean palace archives. Originally it was " qasireu " the name given to high officials who were probably overseer in the individual districts of the Mycenaean states. The exact function and position of the " qasireu " is unclear and historians very controversial.

The meaning of the word later evolved into "king" continues as Homer's epics already have hinted, in which a " Basileus " but usually not an " autocrat " ( "Monarch " ) was but a " Big ", where it in a community quite a number of such could give.

Mycenaean period and " Dark Ages "

In Mycenaean times, the rulers of the Greek states ( Linear B: " wa -na- ka" ) were the most apparently according to researchers as " wanax " means. The title " wanax " (from " Ϝ αν - άγειν ": " [ an army ] lead " ) - the later disappearance of the sound value Digamma to " Anax " was - is usually translated as " High King " and probably means " king, supremacy over other kings exercises ". " Anax " is at least the title, Agamemnon and Priam led in Homer's Iliad later. The position of a " Anax " the power over several local " basileis " exercised, fits a proto -feudal social structure as it existed several researchers believe in the Bronze Age Greece. It is worth noting, however, that the " qa -si -re- u" - as evidenced by the Linear B texts - apparently was only a child, perhaps, or metal smelting ore mining areas addressing local officials.

How could develop from this office in the " Dark Ages " between the 12th and 8th century BC the name of a local "big ones" will be discussed in the research yet. What is certain, as mentioned, that " Basileus " initially rather called a nobleman than a monarch; so be in Homer and Hesiod are almost always several " basileis " side by side mentioned (apparently was responsible for them in particular, the case law in a community ). So says Homer of " Basileus " Alcinous about himself: " Highlighted as basileis exercise twelve leading men among the people here, and I'm the thirteenth " ( Hom. Odyssey 8.390 ff.) An archaic inscription from Chios mentioned selected basileis next to other officers ( Meiggs - Lewis 8 = HGIÜ I 10 ). The takeover of the originally non- Greek word " bully " as first value-free term for an autocrat suggests that the Greeks around 700 BC no word for a monarch possessed - not even " Basileus ".

Classical Greece and Hellenism

In the subsequent history of the Greek states the title " basileus " but was increasingly used as a term for a monarch; the original " (W) anax " was turned around as poetic or mythological rule description. For the name of nobles sat down instead Basileus now aristoi ( " the best" ) or Eugeneis ( εὐγενεῖς, " the well-born " ) through, while " Bane " soon more and more the meaning " illegitimate ruler " accepted. In classical times the Greeks focused primarily on the Persian king as the " Basileus " par excellence; also the Macedonian monarch was called so. The Persian king was called taking up his self-designation as " Basileus Megas " ( " great king " ) or " Basileus Basileon " ( " King of Kings "). That a " Basileus " in the Greek context, however, until recently not necessarily had to be a monarch (such as the common German translation as "King " suggests ), a glance at Sparta, where there was not one, but always the same two " basileis ", which also had only limited powers and need to be addressed rather than the holder of a hereditary commander Office.

Since the 5th century BC the " Basileus " the Greek philosopher was considered a " legitimate " counterpart to the tyrant: For Aristotle ( 384-322 BC ) was a " Basileus " a "good" autocrat, a " Bane ", however, a illegitimate despots. However, it should be noted that for Aristotle a legitimate supremacy over the Greeks at best was theoretically possible; Kingship was for him and, as far as the source material allows this conclusion to the other Hellenes a " barbaric " form of government that was incompatible with the nature of the polis: For Scythians, Persians or Macedonians liked a " Basileus " be reasonable, but not for the Greeks of his time. Aristotle's claim that the monarchy was in Hellas of the aristocracy, which in turn preceded the democracy it has been introduced a long time critical; only recently, more and more historians believe contrary to this later construction of the philosophers there had been in the Archaic period in most Greek states absolutely no kingship ( see above).

Not every autocrat could also call " Basileus "; " Basileus " may have been a legitimate dynastic rulers reserved title. In democratic classical Athens the title " basileus " was used for one of the archons, however, here only symbolically in priestly function (" archon basileus ").

The meaning of " Basileus " as monarch sat in the Hellenistic finally through. The title " basileus " was the Great and his successors in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor and Macedonia, the Diadochi used by Alexander. When the Romans conquered the Hellenistic East, the term " basileus " was transferred there quickly unofficially to the Roman Emperor.

Byzantine Empire

Since 629 was " Basileus " the official title of the Eastern Roman ( Byzantine ) Emperor, who had always hitherto referred to as " Emperor " or " Emperor ". Unofficially, was " Basileus " since the Roman Empire division already in use no later than 395; the inhabitants of the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire had as a designation of the Emperor already in the Principate next to " Emperor " ( as a translation of " Emperor ") and " Sebastos " ( σεβαστóς, as a translation of " Augustus " ) also " Basileus " used. The Eastern Roman - Byzantine " basileus " was "anointed ruler " or " ruler in God's mission ."

The Byzantine Basileus had not - as in the Hellenistic period - " purple born," so stately descent, his. Rather, in principle remained the ancient Roman practice effectively, according to the imperial office was not hereditary. On the other hand, penetrated early many elements of the Hellenistic ruler ideology in the Byzantine one.

Emperor Heraclius was the first Byzantine rulers, the title of " Basileus " chose in official context. For the first time the use of these titulary is attested on 21 March 629. Heraclius was thus both a devotion to the Greek culture, which dominated his territory, as well as a departure from the Roman tradition. The Latin language, which played an important role in the Eastern Roman Empire still in the 6th century, was in Byzantium now finally to a foreign language.

Through constant interventions of both the Germans and the Eastern Roman masters the traditional Roman ruler titles such as " Caesar ", " Augustus " and " Emperor " were also canceled and been too inflationary use. " Basileus " meant no more henceforth "king", but " Emperor ".

With the title " basileus " raised their rulers - such as the Hohenstaufen in the Holy Roman Empire - even a religious leadership. In contrast to the Investiture Controversy in the west of the Roman Empire, the religious component of the Office in the East remained relatively unscathed. The title " basileus " is used even after the fall of Byzantium in various national Orthodox churches.

Carolingian era and Holy Roman Empire

On December 25, 800 to let the Frankish king Charlemagne in Rome by Pope Leo III. crowned (West) Roman Empire; so he claimed at the same time the Byzantine throne as the Emperor in Constantinople Opel recently died and no successor had been appointed yet. To legitimize Karl wanted the Dowager Empress Irene, who reigned in the meantime in their own name marry; Irene, however, refused, citing the " low origin" of the " Germanic " Karl. Although Charles was the son of the Frankish king Pepin the royal blood, but Pippin was at Karl's birth not yet reigning ruler himself; Accordingly, Charles was not " born purple ". After the death of Charles' son Karlman it came to a provisional recognition of the emperor under Basileus Michael Rhangabes.

In the heyday of the Holy Roman Empire, the title was then still occupied by the German emperors in diplomatic relations with Byzantium: Otto the Great was recognized by the Byzantine Emperor John Tsimiskis as "co - Basileus ". Moreover, his son Otto II married in 972 Theophano, niece of " Basileus ". However, it was after the Byzantine reading is always only the Eastern Emperor, the true " Basileus ton Rhomaion " the. " Emperor of the Romans ", while the Western Emperor at best a " Basileus ton Phranggion ", an " Emperor of the Franks " was

Modern Times

The latter, who ruled under the title " basileus ", were until 1974 the kings of Greece, last Constantine II

Like the older Roman rulers title also ended the Basileus as a courtesy, and Name. Already powerful families in Byzantine territory called their children soon Basileus to demonstrate their claim to the throne, sometimes with success.

Variations of the name such as " Basil " or " Vasily " are still in use today, especially in Greek and Slavic languages ​​.