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Anna Dalassene, nun, mother of the emperor (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

ΚΕ,Θ,
ΑΝΝΗ
ΤΗΔΑΛΑ
ΣΗΝΗ

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) Ἄννῃ (μον)αχ(ῇ) τῇ Δαλασηνῇ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

ΤΗΜΗ
ΤΡΙΤΟΥ
ΑΣΙΛΕ

Σ

τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως

Obverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

ΚΕ,Θ,
ΑΝΝΗ
ΤΗΔΑΛΑ
ΣΗΝΗ

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) Ἄννῃ (μον)αχ(ῇ) τῇ Δαλασηνῇ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

ΤΗΜΗ
ΤΡΙΤΟΥ
ΑΣΙΛΕ

Σ

τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.945
Diameter 20.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Corpus V/2, no. 1461. Cf. Zacos-Veglery, no. 2696.

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

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Ἄννῃ μοναχῇ τῇ Δαλασηνῇ τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως.

Lord, help Anna Dalassene, nun, the mother of the emperor.

Commentary

This is the mother of the emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118). On her role in dynastic politics during this emperor's time, see Eric McGeer, John Nesbitt, Byzantium in the Time of Troubles: The Continuation of the Chronicle of John Skylitzes (1057-1079), 14-17 (with illustrations of other seals issued by Anna Dalassene).

Bibliography