Skip to Content

Basil patrikios, hypatos, and megas oikonomos of the sekreton (of the church) of the Antiphonetes (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God seated on a high-back throne flanked by two archangels. Above her head may be seen the letter Θ: [Μ(ήτηρ)] Θ(εοῦ). Above the head of the angel at right: ΑΡΓ:  Ἀρχ(ά)γ(γελος). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of eight lines, the last ligature between horizontal bars. Border of dots.

ΘΚ̅ε
σιλει
ΠΡ̅Ι̅ΥΠΤ,Κ
λοικονο
μτσε..ε
ΤΤντι
φν..


Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Βασιλείῳ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ), ὑπάτ(ῳ) κα[ὶ] μ(ε)γ(ά)λῳ οἰκονόμῳ τοῦ σε[κρ]έτου τοῦ Ἀντιφων[ητοῦ]

Obverse

The Mother of God seated on a high-back throne flanked by two archangels. Above her head may be seen the letter Θ: [Μ(ήτηρ)] Θ(εοῦ). Above the head of the angel at right: ΑΡΓ:  Ἀρχ(ά)γ(γελος). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of eight lines, the last ligature between horizontal bars. Border of dots.

ΘΚ̅ε
σιλει
ΠΡ̅Ι̅ΥΠΤ,Κ
λοικονο
μτσε..ε
ΤΤντι
φν..


Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Βασιλείῳ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ), ὑπάτ(ῳ) κα[ὶ] μ(ε)γ(ά)λῳ οἰκονόμῳ τοῦ σε[κρ]έτου τοῦ Ἀντιφων[ητοῦ]

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4928
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 40.1.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Βασιλείῳ πατρικίῳ, ὑπάτῳ καὶ μεγάλῳ οἰκονόμῳ τοῦ σεκρέτου τοῦ Ἀντιφωνντοῦ.

Mother of God, help Basil patrikios, hypatos, and megas oikonomos of the sekreton (of the church) of the Antiphonetes.

Commentary

For information on the church of the Antiphonetes, see commentary for BZS.1958.106.169.

Cheynet ("Sceaux byzantins," no. 73) has noted that we have no information for the sekreton attached the church. However, this seal proves that the church, reputedly built by Empress Zoe, was in existence in the eleventh century and, through the sekreton attached to it, was a source of poor relief at this date.

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)
  • Sceaux byzantins des Musées d’Antioche et de Tarse (Open in Zotero)