Niketas imperial protospatharios and strategos of Pamphlagonia (tenth century)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on three steps. Circular inscription within a border of dots:
κεRοηθ,τωσωδλ,
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ).
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, preceded (and followed?) by a row of pellets. Border of dots.
νικη
ταRασπα
θαρ,Sστ
ρατηγ,πα
μφλαγ,
Νικήτᾳ β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθαρ(ίῳ) (καὶ) στρατηγ(ῷ) Παμφλαγ(ονίας).
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on three steps. Circular inscription within a border of dots:
κεRοηθ,τωσωδλ,
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ).
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, preceded (and followed?) by a row of pellets. Border of dots.
νικη
ταRασπα
θαρ,Sστ
ρατηγ,πα
μφλαγ,
Νικήτᾳ β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθαρ(ίῳ) (καὶ) στρατηγ(ῷ) Παμφλαγ(ονίας).
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1023 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 11.39. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικήτᾳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ Παμφλαγονίας.
Lord, help your servant Niketas, imperial protospatharios and strategos of Pamphlagonia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (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
Roman province and theme. Variant spellings: Παμφλαγονία, Πανφλαγονία, Παφλαγουνία, Πεφλαγονία. The first mention of a strategos of Paphlagonia dates from 826 and the theme seems to have been created ca. 820; as the theme occupied the Black Sea coastline from Tios to Sinope, a maritime katepano (based at Amastris) is also attested. Moreover, we know the seals of a tourmarches of Paphlagonia (REB 49, 1991, 229) and of a topoteretes of Paphlagonia (Speck-Sode, Berlin II, no. 306). The province had also a major concentration of monasteries. Its inhabitants had a bad reputation but often occupied distinguished positions in Byzantine society. See Listes, 349; De Them., 136-37; ODB III, 1579; Paphlagonien, 74 ff; Mikra Asia them., 275-285, 447-457 (T. Lounghis); P. Magdalino, “Paphlagonians in Byzantine Society,” Byz. Mikra Asia, 141-150.