A cup-bearer was historically an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty was to pour and serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues (such as poisoning), a person had to be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold the position. He would guard against poison in the king's cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the drink before serving it.[citation needed] His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence.[citation needed] The position of cup-bearer has been greatly valued[citation needed] and given only to a select few throughout history.
Egyptian hieroglyph for a cup-bearer
The cup-bearer as an honorific role, for example as the Egyptian hieroglyph for "cup-bearer," was used as late as 196 BC in the Rosetta Stone for the Kanephoros cup-bearer Areia, daughter of Diogenes; each Ptolemaic Decree starting with the Decree of Canopus honored a cup-bearer. A much older role was the appointment of Sargon of Akkad as cup-bearer in the 23rd century BC.
Cup-bearers are mentioned several times in the Bible.
The position is first mentioned in Genesis 40:1, although the Hebrew word (elsewhere translated as "cup-bearer") is here sometimes rendered as "butler". The phrase "chief of the butlers" (Genesis 40:2) accords with the fact that there were often a number of such officials under one as chief.[1] In the Post-exilic period, Nehemiah rose to the high ranking palace position of cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes, the sixth King of the Median / Persian Empire. The position placed his life on the line every day, but gave Nehemiah authority and high pay. He was held in high esteem by Artaxerxes, as the record shows. His financial ability[2] would indicate that the office was a lucrative one.
Cup-bearers are mentioned further in 1 Kings 10:5, and 2 Chronicles 9:4, where they, among other evidences of royal splendor, are stated to have impressed the Queen of Sheba with Solomon's glory. The title Rabshakeh (Isaiah 36:2), once thought to mean "chief of the cupbearers" is now given a different derivation and explained as "chief of the officers" or "princes".[3][full citation needed][4]
Hêbê's role of cup bearer ended when she was then replaced by Ganymede. She then married the deified hero Heracles, who joined Hêbê among the gods and goddesses and started a family.
The Roman gods are also closely related to Greek mythology, with the Roman goddess of youth Juventas being the counterpart to Greek Hêbê.
Cup-bearers as palatine officers in Visigothic Spain
One of the palatine officers who was in the service of the Visigothic kings was called Comes Scanciorum, or "Count of the Cup-bearers." The count headed the scancia (singular scancium), which in English would be called cellars or buttery and in French échansonnerie, which is a cognate to the Latinized Gothic term used in Spain. The count would have poured the king's wine or drink personally while the other cup-bearers served other distinguished guests at the royal table.
Cup-bearers as a Great Office in the Holy Roman Empire
The King of Bohemia ranked as Arch-Cupbearer of the Holy Roman Empire. His duties were normally performed only during coronations. At other times, the Count of Limpurg and, after 1714, Count of Althann served as cupbearers for the Emperor.
The office of butler or cup-bearer (pincerna in Medieval Latin) in Anglo-Saxon England was occupied by aristocrats who were in charge of drinks at royal feasts. In the tenth and eleventh centuries they were appointed from among the thegns, the third rank of nobles, after the king and ealdormen.[5]
Cup-bearer in Shakespeare
Camillo in The Winter's Tale is cupbearer to Leontes, King of Sicily, and Polixenes, King of Bohemia. When Leontes becomes convinced of his wife Hermione's infidelity with Polixenes, he entreats Camillo to use his privileged position as his cupbearer to poison Polixenes:
Theobald Walter was the first Chief Butler of Ireland. Although the terms "cup-bearer" and "butler" are sometimes used interchangeably, they were two distinct roles at the coronation feast.[6]
Kingdom of Hungary
The pohárnokmester (Master of the Cupbearers), also called the főpohárnok, was the supervisor of the cupbearers at court and across the royal court system, a chief court officer/dignitary. The first mention of him dates from 1148.
Poland and Lithuania
The cup-bearer (Polish: cześnik) was a court office in Poland and Lithuania until the end of the 13th century. The holder was responsible for the wine-cellar of the King and for serving him cups with wine at banquets. Since the 14th century, it has been an honorary court title in the Crown of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
cześnik koronny – King's Cup-Bearer of the Crown
cześnik litewski – Grand Duke's Cup-Bearer of Lithuania
cześnik ziemski – District King's Cup-Bearer
According to the district office hierarchy in 1768, the position in the Crown was over Łowczy and under Podstoli; In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania over Horodniczy and under Podczaszy.
See also
The dictionary definition of cupbearer at Wiktionary
^Gautier, Alban (May 2017). "Butlers and Dish-Bearers in Anglo-Saxon Courts: Household Officers at the Royal Table" (PDF). Historical Research. 90 (248): 278–279. doi:10.1111/1468-2281.12181. ISSN 0950-3471. S2CID 159587154.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cup-bearers.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia public-domain article
Walton, O.F. (2005). The King's Cup-bearer.
Manguel, Alberto. The Iliad. book IV, 1–5. Atlantic Monthly Press.
(The Holy Bible: 1 Kings 10:3-7 RSV)
(The Holy Bible: Nehemiah 1:11-2:6 RSV)
(The Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:21)
August 24, 2023
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This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message A cup bearer was historically an officer of high rank in royal courts whose duty was to pour and serve the drinks at the royal table On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues such as poisoning a person had to be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold the position He would guard against poison in the king s cup and was sometimes required to swallow some of the drink before serving it citation needed His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence citation needed The position of cup bearer has been greatly valued citation needed and given only to a select few throughout history Egyptian hieroglyph for a cup bearerThe cup bearer as an honorific role for example as the Egyptian hieroglyph for cup bearer was used as late as 196 BC in the Rosetta Stone for the Kanephoros cup bearer Areia daughter of Diogenes each Ptolemaic Decree starting with the Decree of Canopus honored a cup bearer A much older role was the appointment of Sargon of Akkad as cup bearer in the 23rd century BC Contents 1 Cup bearers in the Bible 2 Cup bearers in Greek myth 3 Cup bearers in Byzantium 4 Cup bearers as palatine officers in Visigothic Spain 5 Cup bearers as a Great Office in the Holy Roman Empire 6 Cup bearers in Anglo Saxon England 7 Cup bearer in Shakespeare 8 Cup bearers in Ireland 9 Kingdom of Hungary 10 Poland and Lithuania 11 See also 12 References 13 External linksCup bearers in the Bible Edit Nehemiah as cup bearer to Artaxerxes I of Persia Illuminated Bible from the 1220s National Library of PortugalCup bearers are mentioned several times in the Bible The position is first mentioned in Genesis 40 1 although the Hebrew word elsewhere translated as cup bearer is here sometimes rendered as butler The phrase chief of the butlers Genesis 40 2 accords with the fact that there were often a number of such officials under one as chief 1 In the Post exilic period Nehemiah rose to the high ranking palace position of cup bearer to King Artaxerxes the sixth King of the Median Persian Empire The position placed his life on the line every day but gave Nehemiah authority and high pay He was held in high esteem by Artaxerxes as the record shows His financial ability 2 would indicate that the office was a lucrative one Cup bearers are mentioned further in 1 Kings 10 5 and 2 Chronicles 9 4 where they among other evidences of royal splendor are stated to have impressed the Queen of Sheba with Solomon s glory The title Rabshakeh Isaiah 36 2 once thought to mean chief of the cupbearers is now given a different derivation and explained as chief of the officers or princes 3 full citation needed 4 Cup bearers in Greek myth Edit A cup bearer depicted c 460 450 BCIn Greek mythology Hebe the goddess of youth was the original cup bearer to the Greek gods of Mount Olympus serving them nectar and ambrosia Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera and is described performing her duties as cup bearer in the Iliad The gods were seated near to Zeus in council upon a golden floor Graciously Hebe served them nectar as with cups of gold they toasted one another looking down toward the stronghold of Ilion Homer Iliad 5 1 5 dd dd dd Hebe s role of cup bearer ended when she was then replaced by Ganymede She then married the deified hero Heracles who joined Hebe among the gods and goddesses and started a family The Roman gods are also closely related to Greek mythology with the Roman goddess of youth Juventas being the counterpart to Greek Hebe Cup bearers in Byzantium EditMain article PinkernesCup bearers as palatine officers in Visigothic Spain EditOne of the palatine officers who was in the service of the Visigothic kings was called Comes Scanciorum or Count of the Cup bearers The count headed the scancia singular scancium which in English would be called cellars or buttery and in French echansonnerie which is a cognate to the Latinized Gothic term used in Spain The count would have poured the king s wine or drink personally while the other cup bearers served other distinguished guests at the royal table Cup bearers as a Great Office in the Holy Roman Empire EditThe King of Bohemia ranked as Arch Cupbearer of the Holy Roman Empire His duties were normally performed only during coronations At other times the Count of Limpurg and after 1714 Count of Althann served as cupbearers for the Emperor Cup bearers in Anglo Saxon England EditMain article Dish bearers and butlers in Anglo Saxon England The office of butler or cup bearer pincerna in Medieval Latin in Anglo Saxon England was occupied by aristocrats who were in charge of drinks at royal feasts In the tenth and eleventh centuries they were appointed from among the thegns the third rank of nobles after the king and ealdormen 5 Cup bearer in Shakespeare EditCamillo in The Winter s Tale is cupbearer to Leontes King of Sicily and Polixenes King of Bohemia When Leontes becomes convinced of his wife Hermione s infidelity with Polixenes he entreats Camillo to use his privileged position as his cupbearer to poison Polixenes Ay and thou his cupbearer whom I from meaner form have benched and reared to worship who mayst see plainly as heaven sees earth sees heaven how I am galled might bespice a cup to give mine enemy a lasting wink which draft to me were cordial Shakespeare The Winter s Tale 1 2 dd dd dd dd dd Cup bearers in Ireland EditTheobald Walter was the first Chief Butler of Ireland Although the terms cup bearer and butler are sometimes used interchangeably they were two distinct roles at the coronation feast 6 Kingdom of Hungary EditThe poharnokmester Master of the Cupbearers also called the fopoharnok was the supervisor of the cupbearers at court and across the royal court system a chief court officer dignitary The first mention of him dates from 1148 Poland and Lithuania EditThe cup bearer Polish czesnik was a court office in Poland and Lithuania until the end of the 13th century The holder was responsible for the wine cellar of the King and for serving him cups with wine at banquets Since the 14th century it has been an honorary court title in the Crown of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania and in the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth czesnik koronny King s Cup Bearer of the Crown czesnik litewski Grand Duke s Cup Bearer of Lithuania czesnik ziemski District King s Cup BearerAccording to the district office hierarchy in 1768 the position in the Crown was over Lowczy and under Podstoli In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania over Horodniczy and under Podczaszy See also Edit The dictionary definition of cupbearer at Wiktionary Bartender Food taster Paharnic Pinkernes SommelierReferences Edit compare Xenophon Hellenica vii 1 38 Nehemiah Book of Nehemiah 5 8 10 14 17 see BDB under the word Rabshakeh See further on cupbearers Herodotus Histories iii 34 Xenophon Cyropaedia i 3 8 9 Josephus Antiquities of the Jews XVI viii 1 Book of Tobit 1 22 Gautier Alban May 2017 Butlers and Dish Bearers in Anglo Saxon Courts Household Officers at the Royal Table PDF Historical Research 90 248 278 279 doi 10 1111 1468 2281 12181 ISSN 0950 3471 S2CID 159587154 National archives This entry incorporates text from the public domain International Standard Bible Encyclopedia originally published in 1915 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cup bearers International Standard Bible Encyclopedia public domain article Walton O F 2005 The King s Cup bearer Manguel Alberto The Iliad book IV 1 5 Atlantic Monthly Press The Holy Bible 1 Kings 10 3 7 RSV The Holy Bible Nehemiah 1 11 2 6 RSV The Holy Bible 1 Corinthians 10 21 Mythography The Greek Goddess Hebe in Myth and Art Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cup bearer amp 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