John primikerios and kourator of the Palaion Petrion (eleventh century)
Obverse
The Mother of God orans, standing with a medallion of Christ on her chest. At left and right: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.
ΘΚ̅Ε̅ΟΗΘ,
ΤΣΛ
Ι̅πριμικιρ,
Sκρατορι
τπαλαι
πετριου
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) πριμικιρ(ίῳ) (καὶ) κουράτορι τοῦ Παλαιοῦ Πετρίου
Obverse
The Mother of God orans, standing with a medallion of Christ on her chest. At left and right: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.
ΘΚ̅Ε̅ΟΗΘ,
ΤΣΛ
Ι̅πριμικιρ,
Sκρατορι
τπαλαι
πετριου
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) πριμικιρ(ίῳ) (καὶ) κουράτορι τοῦ Παλαιοῦ Πετρίου
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2421 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 24.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 26.1. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ πριμικιρίῳ καὶ κουράτορι τοῦ Παλαιοῦ Πετρίου.
Mother of God, help your servant John primikerios and kourator of the Palaion Petrion.
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)
- L’évolution de l’organisation administrative de l’empire byzantin au XIe siècle (1025–1118) (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The seal uses the phrase "Παλαιὸν Πετρίον." Seemingly John the primikerios was kourator of the charitable foundation established by Helena, the wife of Constantine VII, and collected revenues from the προάστεια that supported the foundation's pious works. In the eleventh century the foundation became an euages oikos (Oikonomides, Évolution, 139).