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Alexios Komnenos, sebastos and doux of Dyrrachion (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. Zacharias welcomes Mary, who is followed by Joachim and a group of four virgins, two of whom stand in the foreground holding candles; behind Zacharias are traces of Mary and an angel. In the background arise three baldachins; to the right, in the upper field, inscription: ΤΑ|ΑΓΙΑ|ΤΝΑ|ΓΙΝ: τὰ ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων ("The holy of holies"). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines; the final two letters between bars. Border of dots.

ΘΚΕ̅,Θ,
ΤΣΔΛ
ΑΛΕΙΣΕ
ΑΔ..
ΔΡΡΑΧΙ.
ΤΚΟΜΝ.
Ν

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Ἀλεξίῳ σεβαστῷ (καὶ) δουκ(ὶ) Δουρραχί[ου] τῷ Κομν[η]νῷ

Obverse

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. Zacharias welcomes Mary, who is followed by Joachim and a group of four virgins, two of whom stand in the foreground holding candles; behind Zacharias are traces of Mary and an angel. In the background arise three baldachins; to the right, in the upper field, inscription: ΤΑ|ΑΓΙΑ|ΤΝΑ|ΓΙΝ: τὰ ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων ("The holy of holies"). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines; the final two letters between bars. Border of dots.

ΘΚΕ̅,Θ,
ΤΣΔΛ
ΑΛΕΙΣΕ
ΑΔ..
ΔΡΡΑΧΙ.
ΤΚΟΜΝ.
Ν

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Ἀλεξίῳ σεβαστῷ (καὶ) δουκ(ὶ) Δουρραχί[ου] τῷ Κομν[η]νῷ

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1397
Diameter 29.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 1, no. 12.1. See also Zacos-Veglery, no. 2715.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἀλεξίῳ σεβαστῷ καὶ δουκὶ Δουρραχίου τῷ Κομνηνῷ.

Mother of God, help your servant Alexios Komnenos, sebastos and doux of Dyrrachion.

Commentary

This is quite likely the second son of Isaac the sebastokrator who was appointed doux of Dyrrachion in 1105/6. He still occupied this position in 1108, when he fought Norman besiegers to a standstill and, on behalf of Alexios I, negotiated peace terms with Bohemund. See Skoulatos, Personnages, 12-14; Barzos, Komnenoi I, 147-54; and PBW : Alexios 105.

Bibliography

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