THE TITLE OF SEBASTOS IN MEDIEVAL GEORGIAN POLITICAL REALITY

Abstract

Imperial title of Sebastos was Greek correspondence for Latin Autgustus. It had been specially preserved for Emperors of Byzantium. Later the Sebastos was dishonored to senatorial rank and Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) used that title for constructing the new system of court hierarchy that was firmly based on Sebastos.Reformation of Alexios Komnenos occurred in the beginning of his reign. Sebastos was the derivation used for the male sovereigns and the Sebaste was female form.At first Sebaste was imperial dignity preserved for Empresses alone, but later favorites, ex-wifes, and unofficial consorts of Emperors possessed that dignity as well. Among the first out of Imperial family who was nominated as Sebaste is Helena, ex-wife of Romanus III Argyrus (1028-1034). Later two favorites of Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-1055) possessed the same dignity. One among them was unknown princess from Alania, daughter of Alanian sovereign. Some historians has doubted of her Alanian origin, and hypothesized that she was from Georgia. According to our research, we have supposed that Alan Sebaste was either the daughter of Dorgholel the Great (1035-1075, c.), King of Alania or the female offspring of Liparit IV Baghvashi Grand feudal of Georgia in 11th century. Emperor was generous in subsidizing all her household. Hence the importance of Alan princess should not be underestimated in Caucasian politics.Among Georgian kings who used to be the bearers of title of Sebastos are: Bagrat IV (1027-1072 r.), his son Giorgi II (1072-1089 r.), saqarTvelos istoriis institutis Sromebi. II 186 and David IV the Restorer (1089-1125 r.), son of Giorgi II. In 1060 new Emperor of Byzantium Constantine X Dukas had granted that title to Bagrat IV. Giorgi II received the title of Sebastos in 1073. The last Georgian ruler named to be Sebastos was David IV the Restorer. He presumably was granted with that title in 1083 when David had been crowned as the co-ruler of his father.The function of Sebastos was following: The dignity was used to be among the highest ranks of court hierarchy of Byzantine Empire; Emperor provided some financial support so-called roga on the behalf of Sebastos; the title also had some military functions. Before the reformation of court system, Sebastos was the highest Senatorial title after Caesar. Later the title was debased. The Chronology of Sebastos in Georgian political reality is following:1) ‘Alan’ Sebaste – favorite of Constantine IX Monomachus 1050-1055 (presumably of Georgian or Alanian origin).2) Bagrat IV of Georgia, 1060-1072.3) Giorgi II of Georgia, 1073-1076/81.4) David IV the Restorer of Georgia 1083-1094.