Theodore Komnenos, nobelissimos and doux of Paphlagonia (eleventh century)
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing frontally holding a spear in his right hand, his left hand set on a round shield resting on the ground. Vertical inscription on either side: |δη|μ|η-τ|ρι|ο|σ : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημήτριος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a decoration above.
κεRθ,
τσδ,
θεοδρ,ν
Rελλισιμ
Sδ̅παφλαγ,
τκομ
- ν -
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Θεοδώρ(ῳ) νωβελλισίμῳ (καὶ) δου(κὶ) Παφλαγ(ονίας) τῷ Κομνηνῷ
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing frontally holding a spear in his right hand, his left hand set on a round shield resting on the ground. Vertical inscription on either side: |δη|μ|η-τ|ρι|ο|σ : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημήτριος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a decoration above.
κεRθ,
τσδ,
θεοδρ,ν
Rελλισιμ
Sδ̅παφλαγ,
τκομ
- ν -
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Θεοδώρ(ῳ) νωβελλισίμῳ (καὶ) δου(κὶ) Παφλαγ(ονίας) τῷ Κομνηνῷ
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1097 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 11.5. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεοδώρῳ νωβελλισίμῳ καὶ δουκὶ Παφλαγονίας τῷ Κομνηνῷ.
Lord, help your servant Theodore Komnenos, nobelissimos and doux of Paphlagonia.
Bibliography
- Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- De Thematibus (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Another, better preserved specimen was published by J.-C. Cheynet, in Spink, Auction 127, Byzantine Seals, The Zacos Collection, Part I (7 October 1998), no. 42 (from the Zacos Collection).
In all likelihood the owner of the present seal is the same official as the person mentioned on BZS.1958.106.4551, who was promoted from kouropalates to nobelissimos and this time hired a more attentive engraver for his seal. The epigraphy and the titles appearing on both seals suggest a date in the 70s or the early 80s of the eleventh century. Theodore does not appear in Barzos, Komnenoi, unless he is to be identified with Theodore Dokeianos, who was also a Komnenos on his mother’s side and lived in Paphlagonia in 1080 (Barzos, Komnenoi, no. 9).