The imperial kommerkia of Kerasous (735/6)
Obverse
Half-length figures of Leo III at left, bearded, wearing a crown and a chlamys, and Constantine V at right, beardless, wearing a crown and a chlamys, each holding a long cross set on a globus. No visible epigraphy or border.
Obverse
Half-length figures of Leo III at left, bearded, wearing a crown and a chlamys, and Constantine V at right, beardless, wearing a crown and a chlamys, each holding a long cross set on a globus. No visible epigraphy or border.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. No visible border.
τν
βασιλικ
νκομμε
ρκινκε
ρασντ
νδ
Τῶν βασιλικῶν κομμερκίων Κερασούντων. Ι(νδικτιὼν) δˊ
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4397 |
---|---|
Diameter | 32.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 34.2. Zacos-Veglery, no. 250. Another specimen of what appears to be the same seal, previously misdated by Lihačev, is now republished in Lihačev, Molivdovuly, 241-42, no. 75/5. |
Translation
Τῶν βασιλικῶν κομμερκίων Κερασούντων. Ινδικτιὼν δˊ.
(Seal of) the imperial kommerkia of Kerasous. Indiction 4.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Molivdovuly grečeskogo Vostoka (Open in Zotero)
- The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
- Eastern Turkey: An Architectural and Archaeological Survey (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Hierarchia Ecclesiastica Orientalis: Series episcoporum ecclesiarum christianarum orientalium (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The date of the seal is secured by the representation of the emperors and by the mention of imperial kommerkia, which reappear around 730 under the reign of Leo III.