Megas Doux

The Megas Doux (Greek: μέγας δούξ ) was one of the highest positions in the hierarchy of the Byzantine Empire. When playing the track in Western European languages ​​with Latin script also forms such as Duke Mega, Mega Duque or Megadux are needed for this office. The Greek word is derived from the Latin dux δούξ, which means " commander ", also called " military governor ". In medieval, feudal Western Europe it served as a Latin play for the title of "Duke " and took in medieval Latin and the Romance languages ​​in this meaning, see Duc (French ), Duque (Spanish ), Duke ( german). However, in the Byzantine Empire, the word retained its original meaning. The German playback of the title as Grand Duke is therefore misleading, because with the emergence in the modern title of Grand Duke, which denotes a reigning sovereign monarch, the Office of Megas Doux has nothing to do.

History and Functions

The Office was created in 1085 shortly after the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos, then as " doux " of the fleet (Greek: δούξ τοῦ στόλου ). This happened in the course of reforming the Byzantine fleet, the remnants of the Province fleets were combined with the central army at Opel. Approximately 1092 handed Alexios this post to his step-brother Ioannis Doukas and added the title with a megas. Ioannis now had to secure the task of the Aegean Sea and the areas around the islands of Crete and Cyprus for the Empire. The Megas Doux has also the authority over the provinces of Central Greece, the Peloponnese and Crete granted, who were mainly intended to supply the fleet with ships, crews and other needs. In practice, however, these areas were still administered by local governors, magnates or bishops, as the Megas Doux, was often commissioned as one of the most important dignitaries of the Empire with campaigns or other missions. During the 12th century the office was firmly in the hands of Kontostephanos family. One of the family members, Andronikos Kontostephanos, became one of the most important carrier of this title. He was responsible for several military victories under the Emperor Manuel I Komenmos.

After the conquest of Constantinople Opel in the Fourth Crusade and the establishment of the Latin Empire of tracks in the successor state of the old Byzantine Empire, the Empire of Nicaea was a kind of honorary title, to give Michael VIII Palaeologus, the ruler of this kingdom, reserving. After Constantine Opel in 1261 went over again in Byzantine possession, the office of his old functions and tasks received again. Foreigners were able to reach the office, as a native of the Italian peninsula Licario who conquered for Michael VIII several islands in the Aegean Sea, or Roger de Flor, the commander of the Catalan Company. Middle of the 14th century, the Megas Doux was entrusted with additional tasks that were formerly in the custody of other officials, and thus rose to the first minister of the empire. Alexios Apokaukos worked in this capacity for the Emperor John V Palaiologos during the great civil war of 1341-1347 against John VI. Kantakouzenos. The last and perhaps most famous Megas Doux Loukas Notaras was, the 1453 remained in office until the fall of Constantinople.