Bezants

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Coins of gold formerly used in the Byzantine Empire and depicted as round discs in medieval heraldry ; historical gold currency from the Eastern Roman realm and symbolized as circular gold charges on coats of arms ; valuable gold coins once minted by a Mediterranean empire and represented as golden roundels in heraldic designs
2. Gold coins originally struck in the Byzantine Empire and represented graphically in medieval coats of arms as small golden disks ; Byzantine-era currency in gold form and a heraldic emblem depicting these coins as circular golden spots ; a form of gold money from the Eastern Roman period and a common motif in heraldry shown as round golden figures
3. A form of currency minted in gold by the Byzantine rulers and commonly shown in medieval heraldic symbols as round golden discs ; Byzantine gold coinage used for trade and symbolically illustrated as circular gold spots on shields and crests ; ancient gold money from the Byzantine Empire and a popular emblem in heraldry representing wealth by golden circles

Etymology: The term emerged during the Middle Ages, rooted in the vibrant trade and wealth exchanges of the Mediterranean world. It originally referred to gold coins minted in the Byzantine Empire, which was centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). These coins, renowned for their purity and reliability, became highly prized currency throughout Europe and the Near East, symbolizing wealth and economic stability during a time of frequent turmoil. The name itself derives from the Byzantine Empire’s historical capital, Byzantium, which later became Constantinople. Western Europeans adapted the name into "bezant" to label these gold coins, making the term a metonym for money or treasure in medieval literature and heraldry. The word thus traveled from a geographical designation to a tangible symbol of prosperity, reflecting the economic influence of Byzantium on Western Europe. In medieval heraldry, "bezants" came to denote gold roundels or discs displayed on coats of arms, representing the coins and, by extension, wealth and honor. This shift from a concrete monetary object to a symbolic emblem illustrates how the term broadened in meaning over time while retaining its core association with value and affluence. The word entered the English language around the 12th century, during the Crusades, when contact between Western Europeans and the Byzantine Empire intensified. It served both as a practical term for currency and as a literary and artistic motif, bridging economic history and cultural symbolism in medieval Europe.

Synonyms: gold coin, coin, piece of gold, ducat, florin