Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118)
Obverse
Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. His feet rest on a dais. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Alexios I bearded standing on a dais, wearing a crown and a loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription, beginning at 7:30. Border of dots.
αλειωδεσπ,τ,τωκ,
Ἀλεξίῳ δεσπ(ό)τ(ῃ) τῷ Κ(ομνηνῷ).
Obverse
Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. His feet rest on a dais. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Alexios I bearded standing on a dais, wearing a crown and a loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription, beginning at 7:30. Border of dots.
αλειωδεσπ,τ,τωκ,
Ἀλεξίῳ δεσπ(ό)τ(ῃ) τῷ Κ(ομνηνῷ).
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.497 (formerly DO 58.106.497) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 88.35; Zacos-Veglery, no. 102e. |
Translation
Ἀλεξίῳ δεσπότῃ τῷ Κομνηνῷ.
Alexios Komnenos, despotes.
Commentary
Apart from the dimensions of the diameter, the specimen contrasts with others in our series with regard to the simplicity of Christ’s throne and the lettering of the inscription identifying the emperor. There appear to be no dots on the loros draped over the left wrist. A seal of similar size is published by Seibt, Bleisiegel, no. 27b.