Category:Basilieus

Basilieus (βασιλιάς), more formally Basilieus ton Romanion was the original title of the Roman Emperor at the beginning of Rome AARisen. The title itself has history in the Greek speaking world, and was one of the historical titles of Eastern Roman Emperors. In Rome AARisen, the title represents the senior ruling emperor in the Roman Empire, through the reigns of Michael VII Dukas, Demetrios I Komnenos, Nikolaios I Komnenos, Manuel I Komnenos and most of the reign of Basil III Komnenos (1066-1087). A Basilieus need not rule alone-from 1109-1135, as well as from 1162-1167, two Basilieoi reigned jointly over the empire, however a clear senior between the two co-rulers was acknolwedged.

Near the end of Basil's reign, the title Autokrator was created as a way to more officially designate a senior ruling emperor. For a brief period, the title Basilieus continued as the title of Alexios I, Basil's grandson, who was the most junior of his three heirs. On Alexios' declaration that he would adopt the title Autokrator as well, the title of Basilieus fell into disuse.

It wasn't until the defeat of Gabriel Komnenos by Megas Komnenos Andronikos I in 1272 that the title Basilieus resurfaced, as the imperial style of the now exiled Gabrielid dynasty ruling from Roman Persia. In its renewed configuration, Basilieus, was no longer rendered as 'emperor,' (Autokrator having been superseded by Megas Komnenos) but as 'High King.' Basilieus persisted in this manner until 1301, when Alexandros II of Persia took Konstantinopolis, and raised both himself in the capital and his brother in Persia to the rank of Autokrator.