The term derives from their service in the
sacrum cubiculum, the emperor's "sacred
bedchamber". In the late Roman period, the
cubicularii or
koubikoularioi were numerous: according to
John Malalas, Empress
Theodora's
retinue numbered as many as 4,000
patrikioi and
koubikoularioi. They were placed under the command of the
praepositus sacri cubiculi and the
primicerius sacri cubiculi, while the other palace servants came either under the
castrensis sacri palatii or the
magister officiorum. There were also special
cubicularii/
koubikoularioi for the empress (sometimes including female
koubikoulariai), and the office was introduced into the
Roman Church as well, probably under
Pope Leo I. The office was eventually abandoned by the Byzantines, but it is not clear when:
Nikolaos Oikonomides suggested the latter half of the 11th century, but
Rodolphe Guilland supported its continued existence until the early 13th century. ==See also==