bezant etymology

Etymology:

• From Middle English besant, borrowed from Old French besant, from Medieval Latin basan, from Byzantine Greek βεσάντιον (besántion), ultimately from Latin solidus ("solid"), the name of a Roman coin.

Meaning:

• A gold coin used in the Byzantine Empire from the 4th century onwards.
• A flat, roundel-shaped ornament, typically made of gold or silver, used in jewelry, embroidery, and architecture.

Origin:

The Byzantine besant was a gold coin first issued by Emperor Constantine the Great in 312 AD. It was based on the Roman solidus, which had been introduced by Emperor Diocletian in 294 AD. The besant was valued at 12 nomisma (singular: nomisma), which were silver coins.

The besant became the standard gold coin of the Byzantine Empire and was widely used throughout the Mediterranean region. It was also used by other states in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The besant remained in circulation until the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 AD.

The use of the term "bezant" for roundel-shaped ornaments dates back to the Middle Ages. These ornaments were often made of gold or silver and were used to decorate jewelry, clothing, and buildings. The term is still used today to describe such ornaments.

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