John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her; details indistinct. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Within a border of thick dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at nine o’clock.
θκεοηθ,τσ..
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ [δού(λῳ)]
Reverse
Bust of the owner (bearded), holding a globus in his right hand. Within a border of thick dots, a partially legible circular inscription beginning at nine o’clock.
ι̣̣Τ̣̣ευτυχεστατΚ̣Α̣Ι̣Σ̣Α̣Ρ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ εὐτυχεστάτ(ῳ) καίσαρ(ι)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her; details indistinct. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Within a border of thick dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at nine o’clock.
θκεοηθ,τσ..
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ [δού(λῳ)]
Reverse
Bust of the owner (bearded), holding a globus in his right hand. Within a border of thick dots, a partially legible circular inscription beginning at nine o’clock.
ι̣̣Τ̣̣ευτυχεστατΚ̣Α̣Ι̣Σ̣Α̣Ρ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ εὐτυχεστάτ(ῳ) καίσαρ(ι)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.633 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm |
| Condition | Poorly imprinted. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ εὐτυχεστάτῳ καίσαρι.
Theotokos, help your servant John, the most fortunate caesar.
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)
- 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).