David Komnenos (before 1214)
Obverse
King David "the prophet" holding a trefoil sceptre in his right hand, an akakia (or scroll) in his left. Inscription: |Σ|..ε..οπρ|οφη|τη|σ : Δα(βὶ)δ βασ[ιλ]ε[ὺς] ὁ προφήτης.
Reverse
An inscription of six lines, consisting of two twelve-syllable verses separated by a decoration. Cross above inscription, decoration below. Line border.
̅̅̅σιλευ
σφλεσγρ
φνκυροσ
̅̅̅κομνηνου
σιλεκγο
νουγιν
Δα(βὶ)δ βασιλεῦ ἀσφαλὲς γραφῶν κύρος Δα(βὶ)δ Κομνηνοῦ βασιλεκγόνου γίνου
Obverse
King David "the prophet" holding a trefoil sceptre in his right hand, an akakia (or scroll) in his left. Inscription: |Σ|..ε..οπρ|οφη|τη|σ : Δα(βὶ)δ βασ[ιλ]ε[ὺς] ὁ προφήτης.
Reverse
An inscription of six lines, consisting of two twelve-syllable verses separated by a decoration. Cross above inscription, decoration below. Line border.
̅̅̅σιλευ
σφλεσγρ
φνκυροσ
̅̅̅κομνηνου
σιλεκγο
νουγιν
Δα(βὶ)δ βασιλεῦ ἀσφαλὲς γραφῶν κύρος Δα(βὶ)δ Κομνηνοῦ βασιλεκγόνου γίνου
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1706 |
---|---|
Diameter | 41.0 mm; field: 37.0 mm |
Previous Editions | J.W. Nesbitt, Faith and Power, p. 34. Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 598a (listing all previous editions). |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Δαβὶδ βασιλεῦ ἀσφαλὲς γραφῶν κύρος Δαβὶδ Κομνηνοῦ βασιλεκγόνου γίνου.
King David, be a secure guarantor of the documents of David Komnenos, descendant of kings.
Bibliography
- Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261–1557) (Open in Zotero)
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
David Komnenos was the grandson of Andronikos I (1183-1185) and the brother of the first emperor of Trebizond, Alexios I Komnenos (1204-1222), whom David helped to gain the throne. He tried to extend his brother's territory against the rival Laskarids of Nicaea but was later compelled to become a vassal of the Latin emperors of Constantinople in 1206. He was killed while defending the town of Sinope from an attack by the Seljuq Turks in 1214.