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Anna Dalassene, nun, mother of the emperor (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription in four lines. Linear border.

ΚΕο
ηθιαν
τηδα
λασσι

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθι Ἄννῃ (μον)αχ(ῇ) τῇ Δαλασσινῇ

Reverse

Inscription in three lines. Border of dots.

τηι
τασι
λεσ

τῇ μ(ητ)ρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως

Obverse

Inscription in four lines. Linear border.

ΚΕο
ηθιαν
τηδα
λασσι

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθι Ἄννῃ (μον)αχ(ῇ) τῇ Δαλασσινῇ

Reverse

Inscription in three lines. Border of dots.

τηι
τασι
λεσ

τῇ μ(ητ)ρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως

Accession number BZS.1958.106.5632
Diameter 22.0 mm

Translation

Κύριε βοήθι Ἄννῃ μοναχῇ τῇ Δαλασσινῇ τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ βασιλέως.

Lord, help Anna Dalassene, nun, the mother of the emperor.

Commentary

This is the well-known and influential mother of the emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118). On her role in dynastic politics during this emperor's time, see Eric McGeer, John Nesbitt, Byzantium in the Time of Troubles: The Continuation of the Chronicle of John Skylitzes (1057-1079), 14-17 (with illustrations of other seals issued by Anna Dalassene).