View source for Decanus

{{Short description|Ancient Roman and ecclesiastical rank}}
{{About|the use of the term in the Roman and Byzantine empires|the various Western ecclesiastic and university offices|Dean (religion)|and|Dean (education)}}

'''''Decanus''''' means "chief of ten" in [[Late Latin]]. The term originated in the [[Roman army]] and became used thereafter for [[Subaltern (military)|subaltern]] officials in the [[Byzantine Empire]], as well as for various positions in the Church, whence derives the [[English language|English]] title "[[Dean (Christianity)|dean]]". It is unrelated to the position of [[deacon]] (Latin ''diaconus'', Greek ''διάκονος'').

==History and functions==
The ''decanus'' was originally the leader of a 10-man ''[[Contubernium (Roman army unit)| contubernium]]'', which consisted of the squad of eight [[Roman legion|legionaries]] who lived in the same tent, plus the two support units/servants of the contubernium.<ref>Vegetius. ''De Re Militari'' [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/vegetius2.html 2.8.13].</ref> The title must not be confused with the ''[[decurio]]'', which was a title given to civic officials and to leaders of 30-strong squadrons (''[[turma]]e'') of [[Roman cavalry|cavalry]]. ''Decanus'' is equivalent to the rank of the ''dekarchos'' ("commander of ten") in [[Greek language |Greek]] texts.

From the 4th century AD the term ''decanus'' became used for palace [[wikt:messenger| messenger]]s, particularly those in the service of Roman empresses. ''Decani'' also apparently served as [[:wikt:guard|guard]]s at gates, and in the 6th century, [[John Lydus]] equates them with the ancient [[lictor]]s.<ref name="ODB">{{harvnb|Kazhdan|Cutler|1991|p= 601}}.</ref> In the 899 [[Kletorologion| ''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]] ({{reign | 913 | 959}}), a ''decanus'' was "in charge of the imperial papers" when the Byzantine emperor was on campaign.<ref>
{{harvnb|Bury|1911|p= 98}}.
</ref>
[[Sigillographic]] evidence for the Byzantine ''dekanoi'' is relatively rare, although some are depicted in illuminated [[manuscript]]s, where their appearance varies considerably, in accord with their varying and changing functions.<ref name="ODB"/>  

In the [[Christian Church]], the term came into use in [[monastery| 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").<ref name="ODB"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Sources==
* {{The Imperial Administrative System of the Ninth Century}}
* {{Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium|last=Kazhdan|first=Alexander|authorlink=Alexander Kazhdan|last2=Cutler|first2=Anthony|title=Dekanos|page=601}}

[[Category:Ecclesiastical titles]]
[[Category:Military ranks of ancient Rome]]
[[Category:Byzantine palace offices]]
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