The
Byzantine Empire had a complex system of
aristocracy and
bureaucracy, which was inherited from the
Roman Empire. At the apex of the hierarchy stood the
emperor, who was the
sole ruler (
autokrator) and who was considered to be
divinely ordained. Beneath him, a multitude of officials and court functionaries operated the complex administrative machinery that was necessary to run the empire. In addition to those officials, a large number of honorific titles existed, which the emperor awarded to his subjects or to friendly foreign rulers.