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George apo hypaton. (Seal of the) apotheke of Constantinople and (Cherronesos?) (695/96)

 
 

Obverse

An emperor (probably Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and crown, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. At left and right: Θ : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) θ'. Circular inscription beginning at 12 o'clock. No visible border.

ΓΡ...ΤΝ

Γεωρ[γίου ἀπὸ ὑπά]των

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. No visible border.

ΠΟΘΗ
ΗΣΚΝΣ
ΤΝΙΝΠ
ΛΟΣϗ.
.ΗΣ

Ἀποθή[κ]ης Κωνσταντινουπ[ό]λεος (καὶ) . . .

Obverse

An emperor (probably Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and crown, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. At left and right: Θ : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) θ'. Circular inscription beginning at 12 o'clock. No visible border.

ΓΡ...ΤΝ

Γεωρ[γίου ἀπὸ ὑπά]των

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. No visible border.

ΠΟΘΗ
ΗΣΚΝΣ
ΤΝΙΝΠ
ΛΟΣϗ.
.ΗΣ

Ἀποθή[κ]ης Κωνσταντινουπ[ό]λεος (καὶ) . . .

Accession number BZS 1951.31.5.1771
Diameter 30.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 23.6; Zacos–Veglery, no. 190 (different reading; attributed to Leontios).

Translation

Γεωργίου ἀπὸ ὑπάτων. Ἀποθήκης Κωνσταντινουπόλεος καὶ . . .

George apo hypaton. (Seal of the) apotheke of Constantinople and (Cherronesos?)

Commentary

On the reverse, Zacos and Veglery interpreted the letter after S in line 4 as epsilon and so have suggested the reading Ἑλλησπόντου. But the letter seems to have a slant bar at left and quite likely is a chi, pointing to a more likely reading as Χερονήσου.

Indiction 9 aligns with 695/96, and hence the emperor could be either Justinian II or Leontios. On the basis of iconography the former is more likely. A George apo hypaton, probably the same person, was in charge of the apotheke of Asia, Karia, Lykia, Rhodes, and Cherronesos during 695/96 and 696/97 (cf. BZS 1947.2.70). The present seal suggests that George purchased the right to farm the apotheke of Constantinople and Cherronesos for indiction 9, but then surrendered the right to farm the apotheke of Constantinople, while retaining that of Cherronesos, and adding Asia, Karia, Lykia, and Rhodes.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)