Theodore N., hypatos, judge of [the Velum or the Hippodrome] and of Seleukeia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Inscription of at least four lines. Border of dots.
,Θ,
ΟΡΥ
ΚΡΙ
..
[Κ(ύρι)ε] β(οή)θ(ει) [Θεοδ]όρῳ ὑ[πάτ]ῳ, κρι[τῃ τοῦ βήλου or ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου (καὶ)]
Reverse
Inscription of at least four lines. No border visible.
ΤΗΣ
ΛΕΥΚ
ΑΣΤ
...
τῆς [Σε]λευκ[εί]ας τῷ ...
Obverse
Inscription of at least four lines. Border of dots.
,Θ,
ΟΡΥ
ΚΡΙ
..
[Κ(ύρι)ε] β(οή)θ(ει) [Θεοδ]όρῳ ὑ[πάτ]ῳ, κρι[τῃ τοῦ βήλου or ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου (καὶ)]
Reverse
Inscription of at least four lines. No border visible.
ΤΗΣ
ΛΕΥΚ
ΑΣΤ
...
τῆς [Σε]λευκ[εί]ας τῷ ...
| Accession number | BZS 1951.31.5.1592 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 18.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 6.8. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Θεοδόρῳ ὑπάτῳ, κριτῃ [τοῦ βήλου or ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου καὶ] τῆς Σελευκείας τῷ ...
Lord, help your servant Theodore N., hypatos, judge [of the Velum or the Hippodrome] and of Seleukeia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Situated along the Arab frontier, Seleukeia was originally part of the maritime theme of the Kibyrrhaiotai, with a naval detachment commanded by a droungarios. After the Arabs took control of Cilicia in the eighth century, the region of Seleukeia was reorganized for the defense of the Byzantine borderlands, becoming an administrative and military kleisoura. Romanos I Lekapenos raised the region to the status of a theme between 927 and 934.