Skip to Content

Michael Stryphnos, megas doux (1195-1203)

 
 

Obverse

St. Theodore (left) and St. Hyakinthos standing on either side of a tree. St. Theodore holds a spear and shield, while St. Hyakinthos swings an axe at the tree. Sigla: |θ|ε|ο|||ρ|οσi||k|in|θ|.. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεόδωρος /ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἱάκινθ[ος]. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


κοσμε
γλμιχηλ
γρνκυροσ
υγουελ
ησσυζυγ
θεορσ


Δουκὸς μεγάλου Μιχαὴλ γραφῶν κῦρος αὐγουσταδέλφης συζύγου Θεοδώρας

Obverse

St. Theodore (left) and St. Hyakinthos standing on either side of a tree. St. Theodore holds a spear and shield, while St. Hyakinthos swings an axe at the tree. Sigla: |θ|ε|ο|||ρ|οσi||k|in|θ|.. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεόδωρος /ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἱάκινθ[ος]. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


κοσμε
γλμιχηλ
γρνκυροσ
υγουελ
ησσυζυγ
θεορσ


Δουκὸς μεγάλου Μιχαὴλ γραφῶν κῦρος αὐγουσταδέλφης συζύγου Θεοδώρας

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1092
Diameter 45.0 mm; field: 33.0 mm
Previous Editions

Oikonomides, Dated Seals, no. 126; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 658 (with parallels and references).

Translation

Δουκὸς μεγάλου Μιχαὴλ γραφῶν κῦρος αὐγουσταδέλφης συζύγου Θεοδώρας.

The authorisation of the letters of the grand doux Michael, husband of Theodora, sister of the empress.

Commentary

The inscription consists of two twelve-syllable verses.

The identity of the seal's owner is confirmed by his reference to his status as husband of the empress's sister, in this case Theodora, sister of Euphrosyne Doukaina, wife of Alexios III Angelos (1195-1203). The rare depiction of St. Hyakinthos of Amastris (martyred for felling an elm tree sacred to local pagans), is found on other seals of Michael Stryphnos and offers further proof that he was the owner of this and the other specimens listed below.

Bibliography

  • A Collection of Dated Byzantine Lead Seals (Open in Zotero)
  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)