protospatharius
/ˌprəʊtə(ʊ)spəˈθɛːrɪəs/(also protospathar, protospatharios) historical
noun
A high-ranking official or dignitary of the Byzantine imperial hierarchy.
- The title is attested from the 8th to the 14th cent. Until the 10th cent. it was often assigned to provincial governors, though office-holders might also have court, military or judicial functions..
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in William Nicholls (1664–1712), theologian. From post-classical Latin protospatharius and its etymon Byzantine Greek πρωτοσπαθάριος captain of the imperial guards in Byzantium from ancient Greek πρωτο- + Byzantine Greek σπαθάριος swordsman from ancient Greek σπάθη sword + -αριος from classical Latin -ārius.