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Michael III, Theodora, and Thekla (842–56)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent on four steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

EOOA/.

En on[o]mat(i) tu pat(ros) (καὶ) [tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu ag(iu) pne(umatos)].

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. No visible border.

. . .
O
CLA
EAS
SRO

[Mi]χa[ηl], [Θ]eodo[ra, (καὶ)] Θecla [ec] Θeu ba[sil]is Rom(aion).

Obverse

Cross potent on four steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

EOOA/.

En on[o]mat(i) tu pat(ros) (καὶ) [tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu ag(iu) pne(umatos)].

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. No visible border.

. . .
O
CLA
EAS
SRO

[Mi]χa[ηl], [Θ]eodo[ra, (καὶ)] Θecla [ec] Θeu ba[sil]is Rom(aion).

Accession number BZS.1958.106.605 (formerly DO 58.106.605)
Diameter 30.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 47.2.

Translation

En onomati tu patros καὶ tu yiou καὶ tu agiu pneumatos Miχaηl, Θeodora, καὶ Θecla ec Θeu basilis Romaion.

Michael, Theodora and Thekla, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, by grace of God, basileis of the Romans.

Commentary

In Zacos–Veglery, no. 54, the aniconic seals of Michael III, Theodora, and Thekla are dated 842–43. The authors argue that such seals may have been issued before the restoration of the icons on 11 March 843. Such seals, however, may simply imitate the decoration of Michael’s aniconic miliaresion, specifically  class 1, which Grierson has assigned to the 842–56 (DOC 3.1:5.4 [pl. 28]).

Michael III was two years old when his father died and accordingly his mother Theodora ruled as regent until 856. For a discussion on the presence of Thekla, the eldest daughter of Theophilos and Theodora, on coins, see DOC 3.1: p. 454.

The diameter of the seal is more than 30 mm, as more than half has been lost.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)