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Synetos and Niketas apo eparchon and general kommerkiarioi of the apotheke of Constantinople (713/14)

 
 

Obverse

Emperor (Anastasios II) standing, wearing a chlamys and cross-topped crown, holding in his right hand a globus cruciger. At left and right: ΙΒ : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) ιβ'. Inscription in three circles, the outer one beginning at 12 o'clock.

ΣΥΝΤϗΝΙΚΙΤΑΑΠΟ.ΑΡΧΝϗΓΝΙΚΝΚΟΜ
ΜΡΚΗΑΡΙΝΑΠΟΘΗΚΗΣΚΝ
ΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΠΟΛΟ.

Συνετοῦ (καὶ) Νικίτα ἀπὸ ἐ[π]άρχων (καὶ) γενικῶν κομμερκηαρίων ἀποθήκης Κωνσταντινουπόλεο[ς]

Reverse

Flat (imprint of burlap).

Obverse

Emperor (Anastasios II) standing, wearing a chlamys and cross-topped crown, holding in his right hand a globus cruciger. At left and right: ΙΒ : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) ιβ'. Inscription in three circles, the outer one beginning at 12 o'clock.

ΣΥΝΤϗΝΙΚΙΤΑΑΠΟ.ΑΡΧΝϗΓΝΙΚΝΚΟΜ
ΜΡΚΗΑΡΙΝΑΠΟΘΗΚΗΣΚΝ
ΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΠΟΛΟ.

Συνετοῦ (καὶ) Νικίτα ἀπὸ ἐ[π]άρχων (καὶ) γενικῶν κομμερκηαρίων ἀποθήκης Κωνσταντινουπόλεο[ς]

Reverse

Flat (imprint of burlap).

Accession number BZS.1958.106.686
Diameter 40.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 23.11; Zacos–Veglery, no. 216 (slightly different reading).

Translation

Συνετοῦ καὶ Νικίτα ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων καὶ γενικῶν κομμερκηαρίων ἀποθήκης Κωνσταντινουπόλεος.

Synetos and Niketas apo eparchon and general kommerkiarioi of the apotheke of Constantinople.

Commentary

Zacos and Veglery assign the specimen to the reign of Anastasios II. Admittedly the present specimen is quite close in overall design to BZS.1951.31.5.1763, a seal dating from 700–702 and the reign of Tiberios III. But there are numerous seals of Synetos and Niketas and in instances where the figure of the emperor is clearly seen, differences emerge in the manner in which the left hand is portrayed. During the twelfth indiction year Synetos and Niketas were also archontes of the blattion (see Zacos–Veglery, no. 215) and general kommerkiarioi of the apotheke of Mesembria (see BZS.1955.1.4396 and its parallels).

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)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)