Sebastocracy
/sɪˈbæstəˌkrəsi/noun
A system of government associated with rule by a sebastos or sebastokrator, titles used in the Byzantine imperial hierarchy.
Did you know?The Greek title sebastokrator combined sebastos, “revered” or “august,” with krator, “ruler,” placing imperial authority in a vocabulary of near-sacred veneration.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sébomai
“To feel awe, reverence, or religious veneration.”
Classical Greek
Greek
sebastós
“Revered, august, or worthy of veneration; also used as the Greek equivalent of the imperial title Augustus.”
Byzantine Greek, 12th Century
Byzantine Greek
sebastokrátōr
“A high Byzantine court title, literally combining “revered” with “ruler.””
Modern scholarly usage
English
sebastocracy
“A rare political term formed from sebastos and the Greek-derived suffix -cracy, referring to rule associated with a sebastos or sebastokrator.”
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