Megas Praipositos
The Megas Praipositos or Lord Great Chamberlain of Diadochia is the sixth of the Great Officers of the Realm (not to be confused with the Great Offices of the Realm), ranking beneath the Megas Kanikleios and above the Megas Konostaulos (Grand Constable). The Megas Praipositos has charge over the Palace of Magnaura, the seat of Parliament.
The Megas Praipositos takes part in the coronation, having the right to dress the monarch on the coronation day and to serve the monarch water before and after the coronation banquet, and also being involved in investing the monarch with the insignia of imperial rule. The office is a hereditary one.
History
The Megas Praipositos was originally known as the Praepositus sacri cubiculi ("provost of the sacred bedchamber", in Greek: πραιπόσιτος τοῦ εὐσεβεστὰτου κοιτῶνος) and was one of the senior palace offices in the medieval Diadochian empire. Its holder acted as the grand chamberlain of the palace, wielding considerable authority and influence, having access to the apartments of the Emperor. His roles included charge of the imperial bedchamber, wardrobe and receptions, All roles are now filled by others.
During the absence of the Emperor the Megas Praipositos, together with the Prōtomagistros, Megas Quaestor, and the Megas Eparch of Atlantis formed a regency council in the old days.
In the 7th and 8th centuries, the many posts of the Megas Praipositos were split off into separate offices; charge of the Imperial Bedchamber, charge over the Imperial court receptions and ceremonies, and charge over the Imperial Wardrobe went to the Megas Kouropalatēs, Megas Parakoimomenos, and Protovestiarios. Both offices had existed for centuries has subordinates to the Megas Praipositos before being granted most of his offices in the Imperial Court. The Megas Praipositos nonetheless has numerous responsibilities related to the coronation and the Houses of Parliament and his still a very important position, more senior than any of the offices that replaced him in the Imperial Court.
