Toupha

The Toupha (Greek: τοῦφα, also Touphion ( τουφίον ) ) is actually a tuft of hair or feathers of exotic animals on an equestrian helmet or imperial diadem, in a broader sense, the term also the whole decorated with a Toupha headdress. The Imperial Toupha was only on special occasions, like a triumphal procession, carried.

One of the most famous illustrations was on the lost today equestrian statue of Justinian on the Augusteion in Constantinople Opel, which is occupied by a contemporary drawings from the 15th century. In the 9th century the heavy headdress fell off the statue and had to be installed by an acrobat with the help of the capital of the column stretched from the roof of the Hagia Sophia rope again. Emperor Theophilus rewarded the acrobats with 100 Nomismata, a Byzantine gold coin.

Later the term was used Toupha or Typha synonymous with tiara. In the 12th century we find the verb typhoomai in John Zonaras in the meaning to be extremely arrogant.