Basil Kourtikes, vestarches and kouropalates (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin, facing, orans, with the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla to both sides: Μ̄Θ̄ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with cross above. Border of dots.
ασι,ε
στ.ρκ
.ρ,παλατ
κρτικ.
Βασιλείῳ βεστάρχῃ καὶ κουροπαλάτῃ τῷ Κουρτίκῃ
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin, facing, orans, with the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla to both sides: Μ̄Θ̄ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with cross above. Border of dots.
ασι,ε
στ.ρκ
.ρ,παλατ
κρτικ.
Βασιλείῳ βεστάρχῃ καὶ κουροπαλάτῃ τῷ Κουρτίκῃ
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1110 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20.0 mm |
Translation
Βασιλείῳ βεστάρχῃ καὶ κουροπαλάτῃ τῷ Κουρτίκῃ.
Basil Kourtikes, vestarches and kouropalates.
Bibliography
- Regesten der Kaiserurkunden des Oströmischen Reiches von 565–1453 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent says that the conventional invocation should be supplied on the obverse, although it does not seem to be present, and he reads the dative all in the dative. While this has been followed here, there are no terminations written out on the reverse, so its case is unclear.
Laurent also identifies this Basil as the ambassador who, in 1092, was sent by Alexios to Malik-Shah (Dölger, Kaiserregesten II, 1164), and who is mentioned throughout the Alexiad and through Nikephoros Bryennios.