Constantine doux, nobellisimos, and archon (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Saints Theodore (left) and George standing, holding spears and shields. Sigla at left and right: θ|εο||ρο γ|εο|ργ|ι/ : Θεόδωρος | Γεόργιος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
οιμρτυρ,σ
σζοιτετισ
μΧισουκ
νελλισιμον
τρχοντονκ
νστντινον
Οἱ μάρτυρες σώζοιτε ταῖς μάχαις δούκα νωβελλίσιμον τἀρχόντον Κωνσταντῖνον
Obverse
Saints Theodore (left) and George standing, holding spears and shields. Sigla at left and right: θ|εο||ρο γ|εο|ργ|ι/ : Θεόδωρος | Γεόργιος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
οιμρτυρ,σ
σζοιτετισ
μΧισουκ
νελλισιμον
τρχοντονκ
νστντινον
Οἱ μάρτυρες σώζοιτε ταῖς μάχαις δούκα νωβελλίσιμον τἀρχόντον Κωνσταντῖνον
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.3263 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | W. Seibt, "The eastern frontiers of Byzantium in the decennia after Manzikert: Can seals help reconstruct developments?" SBS 12 (2016), 30-31. Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1577. |
Translation
Οἱ μάρτυρες σώζοιτε ταῖς μάχαις δούκα νωβελλίσιμον τἀρχόντον Κωνσταντῖνον.
Martyrs, may you preserve Constantine in battle, doux, nobellisimos, and archon.
Bibliography
- Studies in Byzantine Sigillography (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Seibt reads τάρχόντον as a condensation of τῶν ἀρχόντων and suggests that the owner may have been the Constantine who carved out a small realm on the Euphrates at Karkar (today Gerger) and was active in the affairs of the east from the 1080s until his death in 1114.