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Manuel Botaneiates, sebastos (twelfth century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God standing, holding the Child in her right arm. Inscription on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

ΘΚΕ̅Θ,
ΜΝΗΛ
ΣΕΣΤ
ΤΤ
ΝΕΙΤ

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Μανουὴλ σεβαστῷ τῷ Βωτωνειάτ(ῃ)

Obverse

The Mother of God standing, holding the Child in her right arm. Inscription on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

ΘΚΕ̅Θ,
ΜΝΗΛ
ΣΕΣΤ
ΤΤ
ΝΕΙΤ

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Μανουὴλ σεβαστῷ τῷ Βωτωνειάτ(ῃ)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.710
Diameter 26.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Μανουὴλ σεβαστῷ τῷ Βωτωνειάτῃ.

Mother of God, help Manuel Botaneiates, sebastos.

Commentary

The owner of this seal is in all likelihood the Manuel Botaneiates who married the niece of Alexios Komnenos (1081-1118).