noun
- plural of exarchate; territories or jurisdictions governed by an exarch, especially in the Byzantine Empire or Eastern Orthodox Church
Usage: historical; ecclesiastical
Examples
- The Byzantine exarchates of Ravenna and Carthage were established to govern distant territories.
- Several exarchates were created to maintain imperial control over outlying regions.
- The exarchates served as administrative divisions between the central government and local provinces.
- Orthodox exarchates today function as autonomous church territories.
- The fall of the western exarchates marked the decline of Byzantine influence in Italy.
- These exarchates were governed by appointed officials called exarchs.