Aulic titulature is a term, derived from the Greek ''aulè'' and Latin
aula
The Canadian Aviation Regulations define two types of ultralight aircraft: basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA), and advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).
Definition
Regulation of ultra-light aircraft in Canada is covered by the Canadian A ...
(in the meaning ''palace'') for hierarchic systems of titles specifically in use for court protocol. Aulic titulature is the name for a system of official rank titles, conferred - ''ex officio'' or ''nominatim'' - to actual courtiers as an honorary rank (for protocol) to various military and civilian officials. The term is most often used with reference to the
Hellenistic kingdoms
The Diadochi (; singular: Diadochus; from grc-gre, Διάδοχοι, Diádochoi, Successors, ) were the rival generals, families, and friends of Alexander the Great who fought for control over his empire after his death in 323 BC. The War ...
, particularly
Ptolemaic Egypt.
Hellenistic kingdoms
In Ptolemaic Egypt, ''diadochos'' (διάδοχος, "substitute") was the lowest aulic rank, under ''philos
asilikos' (φίλος
ασιλικός "
oyalfriend"), ''archisomatophylax'' (ἀρχισωματοφύλαξ, "arch-bodyguard"), ''protos philos'' (πρῶτος φίλος, "first friend"), ''homotimos'' (ὁμότιμος, "
early
Early may refer to:
History
* The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.:
** Early Christianity
** Early modern Europe
Places in the United States
* Early, Iowa
* Early, Texas
* Early ...
equal dignitary") and ''syggeneus'' (συγγενεὺς, "cognate of the crown"), during the reign of
Ptolemaios V Epiphanes (204–181 BC). A similar system of titles was in place in other Hellenistic monarchies. In the Ptolemaic court, the aulic titulature is also distinguished from the titles awarded ''honoris causa''
since several are determined by ''aulic'' functions such as the
chamberlain
Chamberlain may refer to:
Profession
*Chamberlain (office), the officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign or other noble figure
People
*Chamberlain (surname)
**Houston Stewart Chamberlain (1855–1927), German-British philosop ...
or the master of the hunt.
Dynamics and motivation
Scholars describe the aulic titulature as a complex system, and stress that the meanings of many of the attested titles within it are unknown.
One approach to understanding it is through the view that it is a form of formalised informality where a ''philos'' power position, for instance, at court was indicated by his title and not necessarily fixed by it.
While the
hierarchisation in the court titulature and the status differentiation is seen as advantageous to the king, it is also believed to be an instrument for the top of the court society to close their ranks as they jockey for positions and privileges. It is commonly supposed that the institution of a system of court ranks and titles was intended to reinforce the bond between the monarch and his ministers by playing on the vanity of the courtiers. There are also accounts that show how the distribution of aulic titles served as a form of gift exchange and that the recipient was awarded gifts such as purple clothing, crowns, and horse trappings in order to show his rank or to derive his status from.
References
Titles
Government of the Ptolemaic Kingdom
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