Logariastes

Logariastēs (λογαριαστής, "accountant") was a type of financial official in the Byzantine Empire from the early 11th century onwards, with the task of controlling expenses.

The post is attested for the first time in 1012, and existed both within the financial bureaux (sekreta) of the central government such as those of the logothetēs tou genikou, the chartoularios tou vestiariou and the sakellarios as well as in the provincial administration, in monasteries or in private estates. Logariastai appear in the sources until the 15th century.[1]

Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118) created the post of megas logariastēs (μέγας λογαριαστής, "Grand Accountant"), first attested in 1094. Initially it shared the duty of general comptroller of the fisc with the sakellarios, but soon replaced the latter office entirely. The post is attested until the 14th century.[1] In the mid-14th century Book of Offices of pseudo-Kodinos, the megas logariastēs is ranked 40th in the palace hierarchy, following the logothetēs tōn oikeiakōn and preceding the prōtokynēgos.[2] According to peudo-Kodinos, by his time he had no function, but was merely an honorific dignity.[2] The costume of office was identical to that of the logothetēs tōn oikeiakōn, i.e. a turban (phakeōlis) and the epilourikon,[3] probably a descendant of the middle Byzantine epilōrikon, a garment worn over armour.[4]

In the 14th century, the special post of the logariastēs tēs aulēs (λογαριαστὴς τῆς αὐλῆς, "accountant of the court") is attested, responsible for paying the salaries of certain courtiers.[1] A logariastēs tōn chrysoboullōn (λογαριαστὴς τῶν χρυσοβοῦλλων, "accountant of the chrysobulls") is also recorded, but its duties are unclear.[1]