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Leo V and Constantine (813–20)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent on three steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

En [o]no[ma(ti)] tu patr(os) [(καὶ) tu y(io)]u (καὶ) tu agi(u) pn(e)um(atos).

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. No visible border.

Leon (καὶ) Constantinos pist[y] basilis Romaion.

Obverse

Cross potent on three steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

En [o]no[ma(ti)] tu patr(os) [(καὶ) tu y(io)]u (καὶ) tu agi(u) pn(e)um(atos).

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. No visible border.

Leon (καὶ) Constantinos pist[y] basilis Romaion.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4295 (formerly DO 55.1.4295)
Diameter 32.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6 no. 42.4; Zacos–Veglery, no. 49c (slightly different reading of inscription on obv.).

Translation

En onomati tu patros καὶ tu yiou καὶ tu agiu pneumatos Leon καὶ Constantinos pisty basilis Romaion.

Leo and Constantine, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, faithful basileis of the Romans.

Commentary

We know of two types of seals from the reign of Leo V and Constantine. The first features the Mother of God holding Christ on her left arm on the obverse. A cross potent on steps appears on the reverse (Zacos–Veglery, no. 48). A second type, the present entry, retains the cross potent on steps, but replaces the Mother of God with an inscription of five lines. This type dates from December of 813, Leo took as his co-emperor his son Smbat, who adopted the name Constantine upon his coronation.

Pistoi is regularly spelled pisty on the seals of Leo V and Constantine.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)