Leo ostiarios, son (or protégé) of the kanikleiou (tenth century)
Obverse
Indistinct bust, likely the Virgin holding the medallion. Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, preceded and followed by a decoration. Border of dots.
λεν
.στιαρ
.οντ.
ανικλ,
Λέωντα ὀστιάριον τὸν τοῦ κανικλείου
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1107 |
---|---|
Diameter | 26.0 mm |
Translation
Λέωντα ὀστιάριον τὸν τοῦ κανικλείου.
Leo ostiarios, son (or protégé) of the (epi tou) kanikleiou.
Commentary
The reading of this seal is by no means straightforward. It could also be read Λέωντα ὀστιάριον τοῦ κανικλείου, but this finds no support in the sources which do not mention any such ostiarios of the kanikleion. In fact, the epi tou kanikleiou had no subordinates: Listes, 121. The reading we give here suggests that Leo was the son or protégé of the epi tou kanikleiou, a more likely but not ironclad hypothesis.