Michael Taronites, brother-in-law of the emperor (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines. Thick linear border.
γρα
φασσφρα
γιμι
χαηλτα
.νιτ
γραφὰς σφραγίζω Μιχαὴλ Τα[ρ]ωνίτ(ου)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines. Thick linear border.
γρα
φασσφρα
γιμι
χαηλτα
.νιτ
γραφὰς σφραγίζω Μιχαὴλ Τα[ρ]ωνίτ(ου)
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. A border of pellets between concentric linear borders.
γαμ
ρμε
γιστδεσ
.οτα
λεΞι.
γαμβροῦ μεγίστου δεσ[π]ότου Ἀλεξί[ου]
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5634 |
---|---|
Diameter | 19.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 2710; Oikonomides, Dated Seals, no. 101. Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no.453. See also Stratos Nikolaros, “Die Taronitai. Eine prosopographisch-sigillographische Studie,” Millennium 14 (2017), 227-291, no. 14. |
Translation
γραφὰς σφραγίζω Μιχαὴλ Ταρωνίτου γαμβροῦ μεγίστου δεσπότου Ἀλεξίου.
I seal the letters of Michael Taronites, brother-in-law of the supreme sovereign Alexios.
Bibliography
- A Collection of Dated Byzantine Lead Seals (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This seal must date between the accession of Alexios I Komnenos in 1081 and Michael Taronites' arrest and exile for conspiracy in 1094. He is known to have married the emperor's eldest sister Maria about the year 1061. See PBW : Michael 136.