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Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne
I know nothing of latin, but I have taken an interest in the Eastern Roman Empire (don't be surprised if I start a thread drawing comparisons with Gondor) and so I recognise the Greek title of Basileus in the title of the king.
My guess is that it is used in accordance with Byzantine customs to mean emperor. It could also just mean king, but rex is already part of the title so it seems unlikely.
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I too had noticed this oddity.
In the notes in the 50th Anniversary Edition it says thusly:
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Basileus is also 'king', but with the suggestion of 'administrator'.
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I must admit I had never seen
basileus as carrying that connotation before that footnote, and I don't think I have ever seen it again. I'm not sure where the editors got that reference from.