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Nikephoros Botaneiates, kouropalates and doux of the Anatolikoi (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

St. Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Remains of an inscription at left: Τ|Ρ|Ι|Ο|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τριος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in seven lines. Border of dots.

..Ε,Θ,
..ΚΗΦΟΡ.
ΚΡΟΠ..
ΔΞΤ..
ΝΤ,ΛΙΚ,..
ΟΤΝ..
...

[Κ(ύρι)]ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Νι]κηφόρ(ῷ) κουροπα[λά(τῃ)] (καὶ) δοὺξ τῶ[ν Ἀ]νατ(ο)λικ(ῶν) [τῷ] Βοταν[ειάτῃ]

Obverse

St. Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Remains of an inscription at left: Τ|Ρ|Ι|Ο|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τριος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in seven lines. Border of dots.

..Ε,Θ,
..ΚΗΦΟΡ.
ΚΡΟΠ..
ΔΞΤ..
ΝΤ,ΛΙΚ,..
ΟΤΝ..
...

[Κ(ύρι)]ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Νι]κηφόρ(ῷ) κουροπα[λά(τῃ)] (καὶ) δοὺξ τῶ[ν Ἀ]νατ(ο)λικ(ῶν) [τῷ] Βοταν[ειάτῃ]

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1571
Diameter 25.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 3, no. 86.18. Cf. Zacos-Veglery, no. 2690 bis a and b; G. Schlumberger, REG 13 (1900) 470-71; Rostovtsew-Prou, no. 878.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Νικηφόρο κουροπαλάτῃ καὶ δοὺξ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν τῷ Βοτανειάτῃ.

Lord, help Nikephoros Boteneiates, kouropalates and doux of the Anatolikoi.

Commentary

This is the future emperor Nikephoros III (1078-1081). His career has been outlined by Zacos-Veglery, no. 2687. He is first mentioned as kouropalates in 1074 (Attaleiates, 185). This seal would have been struck before October 1077, when he revolted against Michael VII and ascended the throne.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 3: West, Northwest, and Central Asia Minor and the Orient (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
  • Sceaux (Open in Zotero)
  • Documents de sigillographie byzantine: La collection C. Orghidan (Open in Zotero)
  • Sceaux byzantins du Musée National de Varsovie (Open in Zotero)
  • Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantinische Rang- und Ämterstruktur im 8. und 9. Jahrhundert: Faktoren und Tendenzen ihrer Entwicklung (Open in Zotero)