Ammiratus

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Ammiratus (also written admiratus ) was a name for a high dignitary in the Norman Kingdom of Sicily .

Word origin

The Latin name ammiratus is derived from the Arabic word amīr ( emir ), the parallel Greek name is Ἀμηρᾶς (ameras). In addition, the term ἄρχων (archon) is also used in Greek texts.

function

The functions are not clearly defined among the Normans, the ammirati can perform military or civilian tasks, and there is also a connection between the two areas. Since the middle of the 12th century, the tasks can be described by an addition in the genitive. Almost all holders of this office come from the Greek-Arab cultural area.

As commander of the Norman fleet, Walter von Moac carried the title regii fortunati stolii admiratus in 1177 . The German term "Admiral" ( ital. Ammiraglio) represents a narrowing of the original term, since under an admiral usually only the commander of a fleet is understood.

Ammiratus ammiratorum

The ammiratus ammiratorum (emir of the emirs) was the highest dignitary after the king, a kind of supreme minister, comparable in his position to the grand vizier at Islamic courts.

Public officials

According to Maio, this name, which was formed in analogy to ἄρχων τῶν άρχόντων (archõn tõn archontõn), no longer occurs. Under Wilhelm II , the family council advised the king. Walter of Palermo and Matheus of Salerno competed in the leading position there.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. http://www.hist-hh.uni-bamberg.de/hilfswiss/MittellatGloss.html
  2. Dotalurkunde Wilhelm II for Joan of England. (PDF, 290 kB)
  3. Hans Schadek : The families of the Sicilian and Aragonese kings in the 12th and 13th centuries. A contribution to the history of Familiaritas . Dissertation University of Freiburg 1970.