Decanus Christianitatis

''Decanus'' means "chief of ten" in Late Latin. The term originated in the Roman army and became used thereafter for subaltern officials in the Byzantine Empire, as well as for various positions in the Church, whence derives the English title " dean".

History and functions

The ''decanus'' was originally the leader of a 10-man '' contubernium'', which consisted of the squad of eight legionaries who lived in the same tent, plus the two support units/servants of the contubernium. The title must not be confused with the '' decurio'', which was a title given to civic officials and to leaders of 30-strong squadrons ('' turmae'') of cavalry. ''Decanus'' is equivalent to the rank of the ''dekarchos'' ("commander of ten") in Greek texts.

From the 4th century CE the term ''decanus'' became used for palace messengers, particularly those in the service of Roman empresses. ''Decani'' also apparently served as guards at gates, and in the 6th century, John Lydus equates them with the ancient lictors.. In the 899 ''Klētorologion'' of Philotheos, the ''decanus'' (transcribed into Greek as δεκανός, ''dekanos'') was a mid-level functionary, serving under the '' protasekretis''. According to the mid-10th century ''De Ceremoniis'' of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (), a ''decanus'' was "in charge of the imperial papers" when the Byzantine emperor was on campaign.
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Sigillographic evidence for the Byzantine ''dekanoi'' is relatively rare, although some are depicted in illuminated manuscripts, where their appearance varies considerably, in accord with their varying and changing functions.

In the Christian Church, the term came into use in monasteries for heads of groups of ten other monks, for low-ranking subaltern officials of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and for the ecclesiastic ''fossores'' ("grave-diggers").

References

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Ecclesiastical titles
Military ranks of ancient Rome
Byzantine palace offices
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