The gal mesedi was a Hittite military and administrative title literally meaning "chief of the royal bodyguards".Beal p.327 He was in charge of the Mesedi, the personal bodyguard of the Hittite king.Burney p.234-235 It is considered to be one of the most important and prestigious posts of the Hittite Kingdom.Bryce p.21
History The gal mesedi was a commander responsible for the safety of the king himself. On most cases he was a member of the royal family and sometimes the brother of the king, whom he sometimes succeeded as in the case of Hattusili III, who before becoming a king was the gal mesedi of his brother, King Muwatalli II.Bryce p.22 A gal mesedi could also at times command independent military units that weren't under the king's jurisdiction.
See also Gal dubsar Gal gestin
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