John kommerkiarios of Seleukeia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas blessing with his right hand and holding in his left hand a book decorated with dots. At right, remains of a vertical inscription: Κ|Ο|Λ : [Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νι]κόλ(αος). Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas blessing with his right hand and holding in his left hand a book decorated with dots. At right, remains of a vertical inscription: Κ|Ο|Λ : [Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νι]κόλ(αος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
Θ̅Κ̅Ε
,Ι̅Κ
ΜΕΡΚΙΑ
Ρ,ΣΕΛΕΥ
ΚΙΑΣ
Θ(εοτό)κε β(οήθει) Ἰω(άννῃ) κουμερκιαρ(ίῳ) Σελευκίας.
Accession number | BZS 1951.31.5.1777 |
---|---|
Diameter | 23.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 6.18b |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ κουμερκιαρίῳ Σελευκίας.
Mother of God, help John kommerkiarios of Seleukeia.
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)
- Le livre du préfet; ou, L’édit de l’empereur Léon le Sage sur les corporations de Constantinople (Open in Zotero)
- Das Eparchenbuch Leons des Weisen (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
From the seals of kommerkiarioi, it is evident that its connections by land and sea made Seleukeia a center for the importation and distribution of silk, as noted in the Book of the Prefect, 5.1.