Nicholas Anzas, hypatos, judge of the Hippodrome, and imperial notarios of the sakelle (1060–80)
Obverse
Half-length depiction of the Mother of God orans, without a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla at right: Θ̅Υ̅ — [Μή(τη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines followed by a decoration between two horizontal bars. Border of dots.
ΝΙΚΟΛΑ
ΥΠΑΤ,ΚΡΙΤΗ
ΕΠΙΤΙΟ
ΔΡ,S,̅ ΝΟΤΑΡ,
ΤΗΣΣΑΚΕΛ,
ΟΑΝΖΑσ
Νικολάῳ ὑπάτῳ, κριτῇ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου καὶ βασιλικῷ νοταρίῳ τῆς σακέλλης ὁ Ἀνζᾶς
Obverse
Half-length depiction of the Mother of God orans, without a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla at right: Θ̅Υ̅ — [Μή(τη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines followed by a decoration between two horizontal bars. Border of dots.
ΝΙΚΟΛΑ
ΥΠΑΤ,ΚΡΙΤΗ
ΕΠΙΤΙΟ
ΔΡ,S,̅ ΝΟΤΑΡ,
ΤΗΣΣΑΚΕΛ,
ΟΑΝΖΑσ
Νικολάῳ ὑπάτῳ, κριτῇ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου καὶ βασιλικῷ νοταρίῳ τῆς σακέλλης ὁ Ἀνζᾶς
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4151 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus 2: no. 815; Nesbitt and Seibt, “Anzas Family,” 195, fig. 5a |
Translation
Νικολάῳ ὑπάτῳ, κριτῇ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου καὶ βασιλικῷ νοταρίῳ τῆς σακέλλης ὁ Ἀνζᾶς.
Nicholas Anzas, hypatos, judge of the Hippodrome, and imperial notarios of the sakelle.
Bibliography
- Die byzantinischen Bleisiegel in Österreich, Vol. 2, Zentral- und Provinzialverwaltung (Open in Zotero)
- Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Three types of seals, dating from 1060 to 1080, attest the judicial career of Nicholas Anzas. They trace his rise in rank from hypatos to magistros, as well as duties relating to both the capital and the provinces. The first type is represented by two seals, one in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (this specimen) and one in the former Zacos Collection.
The decoration following the inscription on the Zacos seal is different. Despite this, the lettering is the same, and the Zacos seal makes clear that the inscription opens in the dative case, although the family name in line six is in the nominative.
With the second type, Nicholas has moved up a grade to the rank of vestes. Four seals of this type are known: the best-preserved is in the Vienna Coin Cabinet (no. 337; Wassiliou and Seibt, Österreich 2: no. 67a; Laurent, Corpus 2: no. 816). The other three are in the former Schlumberger Collection (Schlumberger, Sigillographie, 522–23, no. 3 [with facsimile]; 618, no. 1 [reading vestarches instead of vestes]), the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (BZS.1955.1.2929), and in Vienna at the Mechitharist monastery (Vienna, Mechitharist Monastery, no. 37; Wassiliou and Seibt, Österreich 2: no. 67b). The obverse is one of the earliest examples of the Virgin Episkepsis type, which began appearing around the year 1060.
The third type documents a further rise in rank. Nicholas has the title of magistros and occupies the post of judge of Thrace and Macedonia. Nicholas’s rise in rank is reflected in his judicial duties as well: from the Hippodrome to the Velum, as well as additional duties associated with Thrace and Macedonia. This type is known from two seals, one in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (BZS.1955.1.2928) and one in Vienna (Vienna Coin Cabinet, no. 113; Wassiliou and Seibt, Österreich 2: no. 196).