Historical Ministerial Titles
The Muslim office of vizier, which spread from the Arabs, Persians, Turks, Mongols and neighboring peoples (regardless of the style of the ruler), arose under the first Abbasid caliphs. The vizier stood between sovereign and subjects, representing the former in all matters touching the latter.
The term has been used in two very different ways: either for a unique position, the prime minister at the head of the monarch's government (the term Grand Vizier always refers to such a post), or as a shared 'cabinet rank', rather like a British secretary of state. If one such vizier is the prime minister, he may hold the title of Grand Vizier or another title.
Read more about this topic: Vizier
Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or titles:
“Religion means goal and way, politics implies end and means. The political end is recognizable by the fact that it may be attainedin successand its attainment is historically recorded. The religious goal remains, even in mans highest experiences, that which simply provides direction on the mortal way; it never enters into historical consummation.”
—Martin Buber (18781965)
“I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.”
—Oliver Goldsmith (17281774)