Anastasios pragamateutes of the Asian emporia (tenth century, first half)
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of four steps. Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock:
θκε,τσ̣̣....
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) τῷ σῷ [δούλ(ῳ)]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
νστ
σ,πργ
μτευτ,
τονεμπ
σιτ
Ἀναστασ(ίῳ) πραγματευτ(ῇ) τον ἐμπ(ορίων) ἀσιατ(ικῶν)
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of four steps. Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock:
θκε,τσ̣̣....
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) τῷ σῷ [δούλ(ῳ)]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
νστ
σ,πργ
μτευτ,
τονεμπ
σιτ
Ἀναστασ(ίῳ) πραγματευτ(ῇ) τον ἐμπ(ορίων) ἀσιατ(ικῶν)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2122 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | See W. Seibt, "Some seals of Byzantine professional men," ΑΝΤΙΧΑΡΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ ΕΠΙΣΦΡΑΓΙΣΙΣ: A tribute to Prof. Ivan Jordanov on his 70th Anniversary, Shumen 2019, 437. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἀναστασίῳ πραγματευτῇ τον ἐμπορίων ἀσιατικῶν.
Lord, help your servant Anastasios, merchant of the Asian markets.
Commentary
We follow Seibt's reading of this seal which may be subject to change if parallels or new evidence emerge. If the reading is correct, it remains unclear what the term "Asian emporia" or "markets" means, either, as Seibt proposes, that the owner was entitled to conduct trade in commercial centers east of the empire, or that he dealt with eastern traders entering Byzantine territory.