What is "logariastes"

Logariastes (, "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 logothetes 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.

Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (reigned 1081–1118) created the post of megas logariastes (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.

In the 14th century, the special post of the logariastes tes aules (λογαριαστής τῆς αὐλῆς, "accountant of the court") is attested, responsible for paying the salaries of certain courtiers. A logariastes ton chrysoboullon (λογαριαστής τῶν χρυσοβοῦλλων, "accountant of the chrysobulls") is also recorded, but its duties are unclear.