Agathonikos protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and kommerkiarios of Chaldia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Half-length figure of St. George holding a shield in his left hand. Vertical inscription: γε|-ρ|ι|ο. : [Ὁ (ἅγιος)] Γεώρ[γ]ιο(ς). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
+κ̅εR.
γθο...
σπθ.
επτ,γκ.
Sκομμε..
χλδι.
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Ἀγαθ[νίκ(ῳ)] (πρωτο)σπαθα[ρ(ίῳ)] ἐπ(ὶ) τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)(τρι)κ[λ(ίνου)] (καὶ) κομμε[ρκ(ιαρίῳ)] Χαλδία[ς]
Obverse
Half-length figure of St. George holding a shield in his left hand. Vertical inscription: γε|-ρ|ι|ο. : [Ὁ (ἅγιος)] Γεώρ[γ]ιο(ς). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
+κ̅εR.
γθο...
σπθ.
επτ,γκ.
Sκομμε..
χλδι.
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Ἀγαθ[νίκ(ῳ)] (πρωτο)σπαθα[ρ(ίῳ)] ἐπ(ὶ) τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)(τρι)κ[λ(ίνου)] (καὶ) κομμε[ρκ(ιαρίῳ)] Χαλδία[ς]
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2186 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 32.15. Listed in Bryer-Winfield, Pontos, 318. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Ἀγαθνίκῳ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου καὶ κομμερκιαρίῳ Χαλδίας.
Lord, help Agathonikos, protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and kommerkiarios of Chaldia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- Βυζαντιακὰ μολυβδόβουλλα. Ἡ συλλογὴ Ἀναστασίου Κ. Π. Σταμούλη (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Open in Zotero)
- De Thematibus (Open in Zotero)
- Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Low-quality engraving. A well-engraved seal, probably belonging to the same person, is published by Zacos, Seals II, no. 357.
Originally a tourma of the Armeniakoi, Chaldia is mentioned as a doukaton late in the eighth and early in the ninth century (Konstantopoulos, no. 158a; Zacos-Veglery, nos. 3088A, 3226A). It is not impossible that at this time Chaldia was still part of the Armeniakoi and that its commander could have been called doux of the Armeniakoi (meaning of one part of the theme of the Armeniakoi, i.e. Chaldia). The theme of Chaldia was created in the IXth century, perhaps as early as 824 and no later than 840. It comprised the regions of the Pontos along the southeastern shores of the Black Sea; its administrative center was Trebizond. Because of the important trade routes to Trebizond, the strategos of Chaldia in the Xth c. drew half of his salary from the state (10 pounds of gold annually) and half from the revenues of the kommerkion. See Listes, 349; Bryer-Winfield, Pontos, 299-318 (316-318, list of officers); Pertusi, De Them., 73, 137-39; Mikra Asia them., 287-297, 459-468 (A. Savvides).