Nobilissimus (Latin for "most noble"), inByzantine Greeknōbelissimos (Greek:νωβελίσσιμος),[1] was one of the highest imperial titles in the lateRoman andByzantine empires. The feminine form of the title wasnobilissima.
The termnobilissimus originated as anepithet to the title ofCaesar, whose holder was the Roman and Byzantine emperor'sheir-apparent and who would, afterGeta in 198, be addressednobilissimus Caesar.[2] According to the historianZosimus, EmperorConstantine the Great (r. 306–337) first created thenobilissimus into a separate dignity,[1] so as to honour some of his relatives without implying a claim to the imperial throne. The title thus came to be awarded to members of the imperial family, coming in rank immediately after that ofCaesar, and remained so throughout the early and middle Byzantine period, until the mid-11th century.[1] In theKlētorologion of Philotheos, written in 899, the rank's insignia are described as apurple tunic, mantle and belt, indicating the exalted position of its holder. Their award by the emperor in a special ceremony signified the elevation of the recipient to the office.[3]
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From the late 11th century, the title was given to senior army commanders, the future Byzantine emperorAlexios Komnenos being the first to be thus honoured.[1] The inflation of its holders during theKomnenian period led to its devaluation, and the new titles ofprōtonōbelissimos (πρωτονωβελίσσιμος, "firstnobilissimus") andprōtonōbelissimohypertatos (πρωτονωβελισσιμοϋπέρτατος, "supreme firstnobilissimus") were created in the 12th century.[1]nobilissimus puer referred to "most noble child".