Chilliarch

Chiliarch ( Greek χιλίαρχος, chiliarchos ) was the Greek name for the commander of the "apple bearer guard" in the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids or for the commander of 1000 men. He later took on important government functions, which in (older) research are often compared with those of an oriental vizier ; to what extent this is true is controversial. For example, he was probably responsible for monitoring farm traffic, perhaps also for introducing envoys, although there is no agreement on this point in research either.

Alexander the Great took over this office and made it the highest imperial office. He passed it on to his closest friend Hephaistion , after whose death Perdiccas became Chiliarch, and a high court office was also associated with the Diadochi . However, there is no evidence of the title's existence among the Parthians , although it could. Under the Sassanids the title reappears under a different name ( Hazaúrbed ); it can also be found, for example, in the inscription of Shapur I at Naqsch-e Rostam (Middle Persian hz'lwpt , Parthian hzrwpt ).

In the Byzantine Empire , the term referred to the commander of a chiliarchy of 1000 men, often also known as moira , droungos or taxiarchy .

literature

• Ph. Gignoux: Chiliarch , in: Encyclopædia Iranica , Vol. 5, pp. 423f.