John Dalassenos, despotes and kaisar (twelfth century, first half)
Obverse
Mother of God seated on throne with the Christ child on her lap. Sigla partially preserved at right: θυ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
τονδ
σηνονδ
τιαν̣
τονευτ
καισαρ
.ενεσ
ποι
τὸν Δ[αλα]σηνὸν δ[εσπό]την Ἰωάν[νην] τὸν εὐτ[υχῆ] καίσαρ[α Παρθ]ένε σ[κέ]ποι[ς]
Obverse
Mother of God seated on throne with the Christ child on her lap. Sigla partially preserved at right: θυ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
τονδ
σηνονδ
τιαν̣
τονευτ
καισαρ
.ενεσ
ποι
τὸν Δ[αλα]σηνὸν δ[εσπό]την Ἰωάν[νην] τὸν εὐτ[υχῆ] καίσαρ[α Παρθ]ένε σ[κέ]ποι[ς]
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4050 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 32.0 mm |
| Condition | Half of seal, sectioned vertically. |
| Previous Editions | This seal should be added to those edited by Zacos 2722c, and Cheynet, "Les Dalassènoi," no. 30. |
Translation
τὸν Δαλασηνὸν δεσπότην Ἰωάννην τὸν εὐτυχῆ καίσαρα, Παρθένε σκέποις.
Virgin, may you protect the despotes John Dalassenos, blessed kaisar.
Commentary
This seal will have been struck some time between 1138 and 1152 when John Dalassenos is known to have held the rank of kaisar; see Cheynet's commentary to the edition cited in this entry.