John Promountenos vestes, judge of the Velum, grand chartoularios of the genikon, and grand kourator τῶν Ἐλευθερίου (eleventh century)

Commentary

We can be certain that the seal was issued by a John Promountenos (or Promoundenos) in the capacity of judge of the Velum and grand kourator τῶν Ἐλευθερίου. Two lines are problematic: line 6 of the inscription on the obverse and line 1 of the inscription on the reverse. In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw Collection, Laurent proposed that these lines be restored as μεγάλῳ οἰκονόμῳ Εὐγενίου. But it is clear that the initial letter on line 6 involves one composed of slanting lines (Χ, Λ, Δ), thus ruling out the title of oikonomos. The letters -ΓΕΝΙ can be seen quite clearly and are accommodated quite neatly in our reading "chartoularious tou genikou."

We note that BZS.1955.1.3273 belongs to a John Promoundenos who, in addition to his titles of mystographos and judge of the Hippodrome and of the Cycladic islands, also occupied the office of grand chartoularios of the genikon logothesion.