Epi tes trapezes
Encyclopedia
The epi tēs trapezēs was a Byzantine
court post, responsible for the imperial banquets
.
of the imperial table"), epi tēs basilikēs trapezēs (Greek: ) or epi tēs trapezēs tou despotou (Greek: , "in charge of the lord's table"), is first mentioned as extant in the mid-7th century, but the source, a hagiography
of Maximus the Confessor
, is of much later date. It is, however, amply attested in seals from the 8th century on, often holding the offices of koubikoularios or parakoimōmenos
as well. The epi tēs trapezēs was responsible for introducing guests to the imperial banquets, waiting to the Byzantine emperor along with the pinkernēs
, and carrying dishes from the imperial table to the guests. Historical sources, however, show that some holders of the post were entrusted with leading troops or various other special assignments. Like many palace posts involving close access to the Byzantine emperor, it was restricted to eunuchs. There was also the epi tēs trapezēs tēs Augoustēs (Greek: , "in charge of the table of the Augusta
"), who filled the same duties for the Byzantine empress, and in addition supervised her private barques
.
The epi tēs trapezēs was assisted by a staff, the so-called hypourgia (Greek: ), headed by the domestikos tēs hypourgias (Greek: ) and including also secretaries styled notarios tēs hypourgias (Greek: ). The German scholar Werner Seibt proposed that the epi tēs trapezēs absorbed the main functions of the kastrēsios, an earlier official with an apparently similar role. Another official with similar duties, the kēnarios, is attested only a couple of times during the first decades of the 9th century. Seibt considers him either a subaltern official to the epi tēs trapezēs or an intermediate stage between the kastrēsios and the final absorption of his duties into the epi tēs trapezēs.
From the 13th century on, the epi tēs trapezēs and the variant domestikos tēs trapezēs became purely honorary court titles, bereft of any specific duties. In this vein, Nikephoros Gregoras reports that this dignity was allegedly conferred and made hereditary to the princes of Russia
from the time of Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337) on.
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 post, responsible for the imperial banquets
Banquet
A banquet is a large meal or feast, complete with main courses and desserts. It usually serves a purpose such as a charitable gathering, a ceremony, or a celebration, and is often preceded or followed by speeches in honour of someone....
.
History
The office, more fully known as the domestikos tēs basilikēs trapezēs (Greek: , "DomesticDomestikos
Domestikos , in English sometimes [the] Domestic, was a civil, ecclesiastic and military office in the late Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.-Military usage:...
of the imperial table"), epi tēs basilikēs trapezēs (Greek: ) or epi tēs trapezēs tou despotou (Greek: , "in charge of the lord's table"), is first mentioned as extant in the mid-7th century, but the source, a hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
of Maximus the Confessor
Maximus the Confessor
Maximus the Confessor was a Christian monk, theologian, and scholar. In his early life, he was a civil servant, and an aide to the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius...
, is of much later date. It is, however, amply attested in seals from the 8th century on, often holding the offices of koubikoularios or parakoimōmenos
Parakoimomenos
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.-History and functions:...
as well. The epi tēs trapezēs was responsible for introducing guests to the imperial banquets, waiting to the Byzantine emperor along with the pinkernēs
Pinkernes
Pinkernes was a high Byzantine court position. The term, deriving from the Greek verb , signified the Byzantine emperor's cup-bearer. The position is attested in Philotheos's Kletorologion of 899, where a pinkernes of the Byzantine emperor and of the Augusta are listed amongst the eunuchs of...
, and carrying dishes from the imperial table to the guests. Historical sources, however, show that some holders of the post were entrusted with leading troops or various other special assignments. Like many palace posts involving close access to the Byzantine emperor, it was restricted to eunuchs. There was also the epi tēs trapezēs tēs Augoustēs (Greek: , "in charge of the table of the Augusta
Augusta (honorific)
Augusta was the imperial honorific title of empresses. It was given to the women of the Roman and Byzantine imperial families. In the third century, Augustae could also receive the titles of Mater castrorum and Mater Patriae .The title implied the greatest prestige, with the Augustae able to...
"), who filled the same duties for the Byzantine empress, and in addition supervised her private barques
Barque
A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts.- History of the term :The word barque appears to have come from the Greek word baris, a term for an Egyptian boat. This entered Latin as barca, which gave rise to the Italian barca, Spanish barco, and the French barge and...
.
The epi tēs trapezēs was assisted by a staff, the so-called hypourgia (Greek: ), headed by the domestikos tēs hypourgias (Greek: ) and including also secretaries styled notarios tēs hypourgias (Greek: ). The German scholar Werner Seibt proposed that the epi tēs trapezēs absorbed the main functions of the kastrēsios, an earlier official with an apparently similar role. Another official with similar duties, the kēnarios, is attested only a couple of times during the first decades of the 9th century. Seibt considers him either a subaltern official to the epi tēs trapezēs or an intermediate stage between the kastrēsios and the final absorption of his duties into the epi tēs trapezēs.
From the 13th century on, the epi tēs trapezēs and the variant domestikos tēs trapezēs became purely honorary court titles, bereft of any specific duties. In this vein, Nikephoros Gregoras reports that this dignity was allegedly conferred and made hereditary to the princes of Russia
Kievan Rus'
Kievan Rus was a medieval polity in Eastern Europe, from the late 9th to the mid 13th century, when it disintegrated under the pressure of the Mongol invasion of 1237–1240....
from the time of Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337) on.