What is an exarchate?
An exarchate is a specific kind of territory or jurisdiction named after an exarch, a ruler or church official with special authority.
In the Byzantine Empire
The exarchate was an administrative unit created to govern distant provinces. The exarch had civil and military authority to defend borders and manage taxes. Notable examples include the Exarchate of Ravenna (Italy) and the Exarchate of Africa (North Africa). Over time these Western exarchates faded as political power shifted.
In the church context
In Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches, an exarchate is a jurisdiction led by an exarch. The exact responsibilities vary by tradition, but it generally describes a region under a distinguished bishop who oversees several dioceses or missionary territories.
Key takeaways
- Exarchate = territory under an exarch (civil/military or church leadership).
- Two main uses: imperial administration and church governance.
- Historical examples include the Ravenna Exarchate and the Africa Exarchate; modern uses depend on tradition.
In short: an exarchate is a region governed by an exarch, either as a state administration unit or as a church territory with its own authority structure.