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Michael metretes of the Phylax (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. Inscription in two columns: |Ν|ΙΟ|Λ : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νι[κ]όλ(αος). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, the final letter between two horizontal bars. Border of dots.

κε,Θ,
μιχαηλ
μετρητι
τφυλˊ
Κ,

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχαὴλ μετρητῖ τοῦ Φύλ(α)κ(ος)

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. Inscription in two columns: |Ν|ΙΟ|Λ : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νι[κ]όλ(αος). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, the final letter between two horizontal bars. Border of dots.

κε,Θ,
μιχαηλ
μετρητι
τφυλˊ
Κ,

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχαὴλ μετρητῖ τοῦ Φύλ(α)κ(ος)

Accession number BZS.1958.106.1240
Diameter 20.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 27.1a.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Μιχαὴλ μετρητῖ τοῦ Φύλακος.

Lord, help Michael metretes of the Phylax.

Commentary

The Phylax was a depository within the confines of the great palace where various imperial treasures were safeguarded (Theophanes Cont., 253.7–8, 255.15–16). It abutted the Chrysotriklinos (see Laurent, Corpus 2:346). As a treasury it was independent of the fisc. Hendy (Monetary Economy, 311) is correct that the eidikon and the Phylax appear to be similar treasuries, but at least in the eleventh century, as our seals testify to, the Phylas had its own personnel, and by extension, a separate identity.

Michael seems to have been a professional weigher who performed services for the crown. In our opinion the designation "metretes" does not here signify an official title.

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)
  • Theophanes Continuatus, Ioannes Cameniata, Symeon Magister, Georgius Monachus (Open in Zotero)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
  • Studies in the Byzantine Monetary Economy, c. 300–1450 (Open in Zotero)