Grand Duke

Byzantine Grand Dukes

The Latin title dux, which was -phonetically- rendered δουξ in Greek, was a common title for imperial generals in the Late Roman Empires (west and east), but note it was lower in rank then Comes (the etymological root of Count). In the Eastern Empire, a dux ranked just below a strategos.

Related Topics:
Dux - Comes - Count - Strategos

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Under the later, exclusively Byzantine theme system (the new miltary circonscriptions, becoming more important then the provinces), the commander of a theme was styled a dux.

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• The title Megas Dux ( Μέγας Δουξ), occasionally translated Megaduke, first appears in the Comnenian period, and was conferred upon the admiral of the Byzantine navy. Among the recipients of this honor was Roger de Flor of the Catalan Company, who was given the title for his services against the Turks during the reign of Andronicus II.

By the time Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks, the office had become virtual chief minister, heading both civil and military administration.

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