John Dalassenos (Rogerios), panhypersebastos (twelfth century)
Obverse
The Mother of God standing on a dais with her hands raised towards the manus Dei visible in the upper right field. Sigla on either side: ̅Θυ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Linear border.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a cross above. Linear border.
τονδαλα
σηνονδεσποτ
τηνιανην
τονπανυπερ
σεαστονα
νασσασκε
ποισ
τὸν Δαλασηνὸν δεσπότην Ἰωάνην τὸν πανυπερσέβαστον, Ἄνασσα, σκέποις
Obverse
The Mother of God standing on a dais with her hands raised towards the manus Dei visible in the upper right field. Sigla on either side: ̅Θυ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Linear border.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a cross above. Linear border.
τονδαλα
σηνονδεσποτ
τηνιανην
τονπανυπερ
σεαστονα
νασσασκε
ποισ
τὸν Δαλασηνὸν δεσπότην Ἰωάνην τὸν πανυπερσέβαστον, Ἄνασσα, σκέποις
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5518 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 38.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 2721; Oikonomides, Dated Seals, no. 116; Cheynet, "Les Dalassènoi," no. 30. |
Translation
τὸν Δαλασηνὸν δεσπότην Ἰωάννην τὸν πανυπερσέβαστον, Ἄνασσα, σκέποις.
Sovereign lady, watch over the lord John Dalassenos, panhypersebastos.
Bibliography
- A Collection of Dated Byzantine Lead Seals (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Ἡ γενεαλογία τῶν Κομνηνῶν (Open in Zotero)
- Les Dalassènoi (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The owner is identified as John Rogerios Dalassenos who married the elder daughter (Maria) of the emperor John II Komnenos about the year 1121. In 1138 he was named Caesar, hence this seal was struck sometime between these years. See also BZS 1958.106.4916 and 1955.1.4050, on which he is attested in this higher rank.