Nicholas imperial vestitor, skribas and katepano of the Paphlagonians (ninth/tenth century)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on three steps. Circular inscription within concentric circles of dots visible at right:
τσδουλ,
[Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. No visible border.
νηκο
λ,R,Rεστ.
τοροσσκρι.
Sκατεπαν.
τνπ.φλ.
γον
Νηκολ(άου) β(ασιλικοῦ) βεστ[ή]τορος, σκρί[β(α)] (καὶ) κατεπάν[ω] τῶν Π[α]φλ[α]γόνω[ν]
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on three steps. Circular inscription within concentric circles of dots visible at right:
τσδουλ,
[Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. No visible border.
νηκο
λ,R,Rεστ.
τοροσσκρι.
Sκατεπαν.
τνπ.φλ.
γον
Νηκολ(άου) β(ασιλικοῦ) βεστ[ή]τορος, σκρί[β(α)] (καὶ) κατεπάν[ω] τῶν Π[α]φλ[α]γόνω[ν]
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2348 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 11.17. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νηκολάου βασιλικοῦ βεστήτορος, σκρίβα καὶ κατεπάνω τῶν Παφλαγόνων.
Lord, help your servant Nicholas, imperial vestitor, skribas and katepano of the Paphlagonians.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- De Thematibus (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
- Paphlagonien und Honorias (Open in Zotero)
- Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The skribas was an official of the judiciary, a collaborator of the koiaistor (Listes, 322). If a Constantinopolitan judge came to occupy the position of katepano of Paphlagonia, it would mean that this position entailed tax collecting responsibilities. Nothing further is known on this subject.