Nicholas Zonaras, droungarios of the ever-honored Vigla (twelfth century, first half)
Obverse
The Mother of God seated on a backless throne, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
ΠΡΑΕΙΣ
ΣΡΑΓΙ
ΝΑΡΑΝΙ
ΚΟΛΑΤ,
ΓΓΑΡΙΤΗΣ
ΑΕΙΤΙΜΙ
ΓΛΑΣ
πράξεις σφραγίζω Ζωναρᾶ Νικολάου τοῦ δρ(ου)γγαρίου τῆς ἀειτίμου Βίγλας
Obverse
The Mother of God seated on a backless throne, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
ΠΡΑΕΙΣ
ΣΡΑΓΙ
ΝΑΡΑΝΙ
ΚΟΛΑΤ,
ΓΓΑΡΙΤΗΣ
ΑΕΙΤΙΜΙ
ΓΛΑΣ
πράξεις σφραγίζω Ζωναρᾶ Νικολάου τοῦ δρ(ου)γγαρίου τῆς ἀειτίμου Βίγλας
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.459 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1817 (with parallels from other publications). |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
πράξεις σφραγίζω Ζωναρᾶ Νικολάου τοῦ δρουγγαρίου τῆς ἀειτίμου Βίγλας.
I seal the acts of Nicholas Zonaras, droungarios of the ever-honored Vigla.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Note the use of the very rare epithet ἀειτίμος, so infrequent in fact that previous editors read the more common πολυτίμος. At least three persons named Nicholas Zonaras are known from the late eleventh to the mid-twelfth century; they all held high offices, like the most famous member of the family, the chronicler John Zonaras. See Wassiliou-Seibt's commentary.