John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, holding before her the medallion of the Christ child. Sigla to both sides: ̄θῡ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΘΚΕΟΗΘΕΙ̣Τ̣̣Σ̣ΟΥΛ
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Bust of the caesar John Doukas, with forked beard, wearing a jeweled crown surmounted by a cross, a divitision, and a chlamys fastened at the right shoulder, and holding a cross in his right hand. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ῙΤΕ̣.........ΑΤ,ΚΑΙΣΑΡ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ ε[ὐτυχεστ]άτ(ῳ) καίσαρ(ι)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, holding before her the medallion of the Christ child. Sigla to both sides: ̄θῡ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΘΚΕΟΗΘΕΙ̣Τ̣̣Σ̣ΟΥΛ
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Bust of the caesar John Doukas, with forked beard, wearing a jeweled crown surmounted by a cross, a divitision, and a chlamys fastened at the right shoulder, and holding a cross in his right hand. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ῙΤΕ̣.........ΑΤ,ΚΑΙΣΑΡ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ ε[ὐτυχεστ]άτ(ῳ) καίσαρ(ι)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5635 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Zacos–Veglery, no. 2683b. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ εὐτυχεστάτῳ καίσαρι.
Theotokos, help your servant John, the most fortunate caesar.
Parallel Seals
Similar Seals
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
- John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
Commentary
Zacos attributed this series of seals to John Doukas, the famous caesar and brother of Constantine X Doukas (1059–67). These seals are remarkable for their depictions of John Doukas himself on the reverse. Although John was caesar (kaisar) from 1060, upon the accession of Constantine X, until his death in 1088, Zacos assigned these seals to the narrower period from 1060 to 1071, when John became basileopator (BZS.1955.1.3008).