Michael Kontostephanos, magistros and doux of Antioch (ca. 1055)
Obverse
Military saint (probably St. Demetrios) standing, holding a spear in his right hand and in his left a shield; both rest on the ground. Vertical inscription visible at left: Ο|Α|Γ|Ι|Ο : Ὁ ἅγιο(ς). Border of dots
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines preceded by a decoration. Border of dots.
ΚΕ,ΗΘ,
ΤΣΛ,
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΜΑ
.ΙΣΤΡ,SΚ,
ΑΝΤΙΟΧ,Τ
ΚΟΝΤ,ΣΤΕ
ΦΑΝ,
Κ(ύρι)ε β(ο)ήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Μιχαὴλ μα[γ]ίστρ(ῳ) (καὶ) δουκ(ὶ) Ἀντιοχ(είας) τῷ Κοντ(ο)στεφάν(ῳ)
Obverse
Military saint (probably St. Demetrios) standing, holding a spear in his right hand and in his left a shield; both rest on the ground. Vertical inscription visible at left: Ο|Α|Γ|Ι|Ο : Ὁ ἅγιο(ς). Border of dots
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines preceded by a decoration. Border of dots.
ΚΕ,ΗΘ,
ΤΣΛ,
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΜΑ
.ΙΣΤΡ,SΚ,
ΑΝΤΙΟΧ,Τ
ΚΟΝΤ,ΣΤΕ
ΦΑΝ,
Κ(ύρι)ε β(ο)ήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Μιχαὴλ μα[γ]ίστρ(ῳ) (καὶ) δουκ(ὶ) Ἀντιοχ(είας) τῷ Κοντ(ο)στεφάν(ῳ)
| Accession number | BZS 1955.1.3105 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 34.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 9.4. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ μαγίστρῳ καὶ δουκὶ Ἀντιοχείας τῷ Κοντοστεφάνῳ.
Lord, help your servant Michael Kontostephanos, magistros and doux of Antioch.
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)
- Les ducs d’Antioche sous Michel IV et Constantin IX (Open in Zotero)
- Molivdovuly grečeskogo Vostoka (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Another seal of Michael Kontostephanos, magistros and doux of Antioch is published by Cheynet (“Ducs d’Antioche,” 57–60, = Spink I, no. 43), but this seal bears the image of the Virgin orans. A seal published in Likhachev, Molivdovuly, 276 and pl. LXXXI, no. 9, names Michael Kontostephanos kouropalates and doux, and bears the image of St. Demetrios on the obverse. A possible parallel has been identified which depicts St. George (CNG Electronic Auction, 1 December 2010, #536). This change of iconography is unusual but not without a contemporary parallel, as the seals of Romanos Skleros reveal a change of patron saint from St. George to St. Michael; see commentary at BZS.1951.31.5.49 and BZS.1958.106.5699.