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Leontios Theotokites, patriarch of Constantinople (1189)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God, seated on a backless throne, (presumably) holding Christ on knees. At left and right, sigla M-P-ΘV: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines preceded by a cross.


ΛΕΟΝΤΙΟΣ
ΕΛΕΩΘΥΑΡΧΙ
ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣΚΩΝ
ΑΝΤΙΝΠΟΛ...
ΝΕΑΣΡΩΣ...
ΟΙΚΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ
ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ

Λεόντιος ἐλέῳ Θ(εο)ῦ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλ[εως] Νέας Ῥώμης [καὶ] οἰκουμενικὸς πατριάρχης.

Obverse

The Mother of God, seated on a backless throne, (presumably) holding Christ on knees. At left and right, sigla M-P-ΘV: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines preceded by a cross.


ΛΕΟΝΤΙΟΣ
ΕΛΕΩΘΥΑΡΧΙ
ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣΚΩΝ
ΑΝΤΙΝΠΟΛ...
ΝΕΑΣΡΩΣ...
ΟΙΚΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ
ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ

Λεόντιος ἐλέῳ Θ(εο)ῦ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλ[εως] Νέας Ῥώμης [καὶ] οἰκουμενικὸς πατριάρχης.

Accession number BZS.1958.106.310 (formerly DO 58.106.310)
Diameter 36.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 123.1; Laurent, Corpus 5.3: no. 1632 and Zacos, Seals 2: no. 30b (unillustrated). For similar specimens see Seibt–Zarnitz, no. 5.1.4 and Likhachev, Molivdovuly, no. LXIX.14. Cf. Galavaris, “Thokos,” no. 39 (p. 177).

Translation

Λεόντιος ἐλέῳ Θεοῦ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέας Ῥώμης καὶ οἰκουμενικὸς πατριάρχης.

Leontios, by the grace of God, archbishop of Constantinople, the New Rome, and ecumenical patriarch.

Commentary

Leontios enjoyed only a brief reign (see Seibt–Zarnitz, 183–84). Prior to his elevation he was abbot of the monastery of SS Peter and Paul on Mount Auxentios. His nickname derives from an appearance of the Virgin to him in a dream. He took up office in February or March of 1189 and resigned his post that September or October.

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)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
  • Das byzantinische Bleisiegel als Kunstwerk: Katalog zur Ausstellung (Open in Zotero)
  • The Representation of the Virgin and Child on a ‘Thokos’ on Seals of the Constantinopolitan Patriarchs (Open in Zotero)