Financial officer in the Byzantine Empire who controlled imperial expenses
Logariastes (Greek: λογαριαστής, lit. 'accountant') was a type of financial official in the Byzantine Empire from the early 11th century onwards, with the task of controlling expenses.
The post is attested for the first time in 1012, and existed both within the financial bureaux (sekreta) of the central government such as those of the logothetes tou genikou, the chartoularios tou vestiariou and the sakellarios as well as in the provincial administration, in monasteries or in private estates. Logariastai appear in the sources until the 15th century.[1]
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118) created the post of megas logariastes (μέγας λογαριαστής, 'grand accountant'), first attested in 1094. Initially, it shared the duty of general comptroller of the fisc with the sakellarios, but soon replaced the latter office entirely. The post is attested until the 14th century.[1] In the mid-14th century Book of Offices of pseudo-Kodinos, the megas logariastes is ranked 40th in the palace hierarchy, following the logothetes ton oikeiakon and preceding the protokynegos.[2] According to peudo-Kodinos, by his time he had no function, but was merely an honorific dignity.[2] The costume of office was identical to that of the logothetes ton oikeiakon, i.e. a turban (phakeolis) and the epilourikon,[3] probably a descendant of the middle Byzantine epilorikon, a garment worn over armour.[4]
In the 14th century, the special post of the logariastes tes aules (λογαριαστὴς τῆς αὐλῆς, 'accountant of the court') is attested, responsible for paying the salaries of certain courtiers.[1] A logariastes ton chrysoboullon (λογαριαστὴς τῶν χρυσοβοῦλλων, 'accountant of the chrysobulls') is also recorded, but its duties are unclear.[1]
Logariastes (Greek: λογαριαστής, lit. 'accountant') was a type of financial official in the Byzantine Empire from the early 11th century onwards, with...
although for a time, it may have been subsumed into that of the megas logariastes under Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118). Imitating the practice of the...
the imperial hierarchy, between the praitōr tou dēmou and the megas logariastēs, but held no official function. His court uniform consisted of a turban...
under the megas logariastēs tōn sekretōn (μέγας λογαριαστής τῶν σεκρέτων, "grand accountant of the sekreta"), while the megas logariastēs tōn euagōn sekretōn...
hetaireiarchai are also attested, at 63rd place, between the vestiariou and the logariastes tes aules. Other lists have them at 67th–69th place, below the protokomes...
related to the Demetrios Libadas who held office (probably under the megas logariastes) in 1186. The first recorded Libadarios was a relative of the Mouzalon...
John Tzetzes. In the early 13th century, Michael Basilakes served as logariastes (a type of financial official) in the area of Miletus. Lastly, a certain...
Palaiologos Previously komēs tōn basilikōn hippōn, general comptroller (megas logariastēs), Eparch of Constantinople, and pansebastos sebastos. Abrampax late 13th...
seals also hold offices in the administration, such as symponos and logariastēs. The continuity with their 9th–10th century forebears is unclear. The...
his position varies, but is far lower, coming usually right after the logariastēs tēs aulēs. Thus in the appendix to the Hexabiblos, which reflects the...
1269 he is attested as holding the post of general comptroller (megas logariastes) and the designation of oikeios of the emperor, advancing further to...
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