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Michael Saronites, magistros and doux of all the West (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

St. Michael standing and holding a sceptre and globus. Faint traces of an inscription: ΜΧ: Μ(ι)χ(αήλ). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross at the beginning. Border of dots.

κ.,θ,
Μιμ.γισ
τρSδκι
πασησδυσε
..τσαρ
νιτη

Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχ(αὴλ) μ[α]γίστρῳ (καὶ) δουκὶ πάσης Δύσε[ως] τῷ Σαρ(ω)νίτῃ

Obverse

St. Michael standing and holding a sceptre and globus. Faint traces of an inscription: ΜΧ: Μ(ι)χ(αήλ). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross at the beginning. Border of dots.

κ.,θ,
Μιμ.γισ
τρSδκι
πασησδυσε
..τσαρ
νιτη

Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχ(αὴλ) μ[α]γίστρῳ (καὶ) δουκὶ πάσης Δύσε[ως] τῷ Σαρ(ω)νίτῃ

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.498
Diameter 29.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 1 no. 1.20a.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Μιχαὴλ μαγίστρῳ καὶ δουκὶ πάσης Δύσεως τῷ Σαρωνίτῃ.

Lord, help Michael Saronites, magistros and doux of all the West.

Commentary

This specimen is not close enough in time to be related with confidence to the strategos of Macedonia Michael Saronites (BZS.1958.106.2536). On the contrary, the owner of this seal could have been Michael Saronites, katepano of Bulgaria while vestarches (seal ed. Mordtmann in Ἐλλ. Φιλολ. Σύλλ. 17 [1886] Supplement, 144-45); later he must have obtained the titles mentioned on our seal. He may have been the same person as the Saronites (no first name known) who stamped out the revolt of Constantine Bodin in 1072 (Skylitzes Cont., 165; cf. Bănescu, Duchés, 147, 173). See also PBW : Michael 102.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)