Theodore Komnenos, kouropalates and doux of Paphlagonia (eleventh century)
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing frontally, holding a spear in his right hand, his left hand resting on a round shield set on the ground. Vertical inscription on either side: ο|α|γι|οσ-δ|η|.η|τρ|ι : Ὁ ἅγιος Δη[μ]ήτρι(ος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
κεοηθ,
τ΄σδλ
εδρκ
οπλΤSδ
κιφλγο
κομνη
- ν -
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ(ει) τ(ῷ) σῷ δούλῳ [Θ]εοδώρῳ κου[ρ]οπαλάτ(ῃ) (καὶ) δουκὶ Παφλαγο[ν(ίας) τ]ῷ Κομνηνῷ
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing frontally, holding a spear in his right hand, his left hand resting on a round shield set on the ground. Vertical inscription on either side: ο|α|γι|οσ-δ|η|.η|τρ|ι : Ὁ ἅγιος Δη[μ]ήτρι(ος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
κεοηθ,
τ΄σδλ
εδρκ
οπλΤSδ
κιφλγο
κομνη
- ν -
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ(ει) τ(ῷ) σῷ δούλῳ [Θ]εοδώρῳ κου[ρ]οπαλάτ(ῃ) (καὶ) δουκὶ Παφλαγο[ν(ίας) τ]ῷ Κομνηνῷ
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4551 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 11.4. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεοδώρῳ κουροπαλάτῃ καὶ δουκὶ Παφλαγονίας τῷ Κομνηνῷ.
Lord, help your servant Theodore Komnenos, kouropalates and doux of Paphlagonia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- De Thematibus (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
- Paphlagonien und Honorias (Open in Zotero)
- Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
It is quite a feat on the engraver's part that he omitted one letter on almost every line of the reverse and in places where no abbreviation is conceivable. Truly remarkable.
A seal of Theodore Komnenos kouropalates and doux of Paphlagonia (?) (Παιφαγονίας, ed.) was seen at the bazar of Istanbul and published in EO 5 (1901-2) 306, no. 6. Another (perhaps the same) specimen appeared in Sale 62 (20 April 1993) of the House Gorny (no. 722).