John Komnenos, kouropalates and domestikos of the Schools of the West (1057-1067)
Obverse
Bust of St. George holding a spear across his chest and over his shoulder, and a round shield decorated with a tendril. Inscription: ε||ργ|ι|ο|σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γ]εώργιος. Circle of pellets within two borders of dots.
Obverse
Bust of St. George holding a spear across his chest and over his shoulder, and a round shield decorated with a tendril. Inscription: ε||ργ|ι|ο|σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γ]εώργιος. Circle of pellets within two borders of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of eight lines; the final two letters between horizontal bars. Circle of pellets.
κΕ̅οηθ
σδλ
̅κροπαλ,τ,
.δομεστικ
τνσχολν
τησδυσαιοσ
τκομνη
ν
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ(ει) [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ [Ἰ]ω(άννῃ) κουροπαλ(ά)τ(ῃ) [(καὶ)] δομεστίκῳ τῶν σχολῶν τῆς Δύσαιος τῷ Κομνηνῷ
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2986 |
---|---|
Diameter | 32.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 2681b; DO Seals 1 no. 1.15a. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ κουροπαλάτῃ καὶ δομεστίκῳ τῶν σχολῶν τῆς Δύσεως τῷ Κομνηνῷ.
Lord, help your servant John Komnenos, kouropalates and domestikos of the Schools of the West.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This is the father of Alexios I. The seal can be firmly dated after 1057, the year in which he was elevated by his brother Isaac I to the rank of kouropalates (Barzos, Komnenoi, 49). He held the same position in April 1059 (Lemerle, Cinq études, 39, 43) and died on July 12, 1067.