John son of Meze, apo hypaton (seventh century, second half)
Obverse
Cruciform monogram, reading Ἰωάννου; in the quarters: ΥΙΟΥ|ΖΕ. Wreath border.
Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ
Obverse
Cruciform monogram, reading Ἰωάννου; in the quarters: ΥΙΟΥ|ΖΕ. Wreath border.
Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ
Reverse
Cruciform monogram, reading ἀπὸ ὑπάτων. Wreath border.
α - ν - ο - π - τ - υ - ω
ἀπὀ ὑπάτων
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.883 |
---|---|
Diameter | 29.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 363. |
Translation
Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ ἀπὀ ὑπάτων.
(Seal of) John son of Meze, apo hypaton.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
A related seal has an identical obverse to this one, but on the reverse contains a monogram of the title apo hypaton (BZS.1958.106.883). It is not quite clear whether this titular promotion refers to John or Mezezios, as we know that Mezezios had held both titles, patrikios when he rebelled and apo hypaton is attested on a seal (BZS.1955.1.194). The more logical reading would indicate that the title refers to John, the owner of the seal. For the rebellion of John see V. Prigent, “La Sicile de Constant II: l’apport des sources sigillographiques” who references a parallel seal found in Sicily. These seals must have been struck in the period before the rebellion, when John was merely representing the fact that he was the son of the very important Mezezios.