Akindynos kommerkiarios of Seleukeia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas; details obscure. Remnants of a vertical inscription visible at right: Ν|Ι|ΚΟ|Λ : [Ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Νικόλ(αος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Indeterminate border.
ΑΚΥΝ
ΗΝΟ̅Κ
ΕΡΚΙΑ
ΣΕ
Ἀκύν[δ]ηνο(ς) κου[μμ]ερκιά[ριος] Σε[λευκείας].
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas; details obscure. Remnants of a vertical inscription visible at right: Ν|Ι|ΚΟ|Λ : [Ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Νικόλ(αος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Indeterminate border.
ΑΚΥΝ
ΗΝΟ̅Κ
ΕΡΚΙΑ
ΣΕ
Ἀκύν[δ]ηνο(ς) κου[μμ]ερκιά[ριος] Σε[λευκείας].
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2188 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 16.6b. |
Translation
Ἀκύνδηνος κουμμερκιάριος Σελευκείας.
Akindynos kommerkiarios of Seleukeia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Le livre du préfet; ou, L’édit de l’empereur Léon le Sage sur les corporations de Constantinople (Open in Zotero)
- Das Eparchenbuch Leons des Weisen (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Under Romanos I, between 927 and 934, the kleisoura of Seleukeia was raised to the status of theme. In addition to the presence of imperial domains, managed by episkeptitai, the seals of kommerkiarioi, such as the present example, attest to connections at Seleukeia between land and sea that made it a center for the importation and distribution of silk (see Book of the Prefect, 5.1).
This specimen issues from a different boulloterion than BZS.1955.1.2187. Owing to an imperfect strike the region where the owner carried out his duties is barely legible. From the remains of the letters on the last line, the placename Seleukeia has been tentatively restored by analogy with the above mentioned seal, as both are of the same period and show the same title, iconography, uncommon name, and unusual abbreviation signs.