Nikephoros Doukas, sebastos (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of four lines, preceded by ornament. Border of dots.
ΣΦΡΓΙ
ΣΕΑΣΤΟΥ
ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡ
ΤΟΥΚΑ
Σφραγὶς σεβαστοῦ Νικηφόρου τοῦ Δούκα
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
ΡΙΖΑΝΓΕ
ΝΟΥΣΕΧΟΝ
ΤΟΣΕΚΑ
ΣΙΛΕΝ
ῥιζαν γένους ἔχοντος ἐκ βασιλέων.
Obverse
Inscription of four lines, preceded by ornament. Border of dots.
ΣΦΡΓΙ
ΣΕΑΣΤΟΥ
ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡ
ΤΟΥΚΑ
Σφραγὶς σεβαστοῦ Νικηφόρου τοῦ Δούκα
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
ΡΙΖΑΝΓΕ
ΝΟΥΣΕΧΟΝ
ΤΟΣΕΚΑ
ΣΙΛΕΝ
ῥιζαν γένους ἔχοντος ἐκ βασιλέων.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.507 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 35.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2847c. See also PBW: Nikephoros 20152. |
Translation
Σφραγὶς σεβαστοῦ Νικηφόρου τοῦ Δούκα ῥιζαν γένους ἔχοντος ἐκ βασιλέων.
The seal of the sebastos Nicholas Doukas who traces his descent from emperors.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription consists of two twelve-syllable verses, one on each side of the seal.
The owner of the seal is well known from literary sources. He is attested as epi ton deeseon in 1173 and counted Eustathios of Thessalonike and Constantine Manasses among his circle of friends. See Wassiliou-Seibt's comments to the entry in her catalogue.