Herakleios, Herakleios Constantine, and Heraklonas (638–41)
Obverse
The Mother of God standing, holding Christ before her. A small cross potent at shoulder level at left. Wreath border.
Reverse
Three emperors standing: in center, Herakleios, bearded; at left, Heraklonas, beardless; and at right, Herakleios Constantine, beardless. Each figure wears a crown with a cross and a chlamys and holds a globus cruciger in hisright hand. A cross in upper field at left. No inscription. Wreath border.
Obverse
The Mother of God standing, holding Christ before her. A small cross potent at shoulder level at left. Wreath border.
Reverse
Three emperors standing: in center, Herakleios, bearded; at left, Heraklonas, beardless; and at right, Herakleios Constantine, beardless. Each figure wears a crown with a cross and a chlamys and holds a globus cruciger in hisright hand. A cross in upper field at left. No inscription. Wreath border.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.546 (formerly DO 58.106.546) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 17.1b; Zacos–Veglery, no. 14b. Illustrated and discussed in Morrisson, “Du consul à l’empereur,” 259, table 1, and 264, no. 8. |
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)
- Du consul à l’empereur: les sceaux d’Héraclius (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The dating seals depicting Heraklonas on which he is fairly short depends upon whether the crown represents his rank of augustus, attained in July of 638. This entry follows Zacos and Veglery in affirming this chronology, whereas Morrisson, who does not believe that Heraklonas's small crown is indicative of his status as an augustus, suggests a date between 1 January 632 and 7 April 638.