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Constantine Doukas, magistros and doux (1057-1059)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God with her hands raised in prayer, the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: ̅θυ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


θκ̅ε,θ,
κ̅νμα
γιστρ
δκητ
δκα
  

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Κων(σταντίνῳ) μαγίστρῳ (καὶ) δουκὴ τῷ Δούκᾳ

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God with her hands raised in prayer, the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: ̅θυ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


θκ̅ε,θ,
κ̅νμα
γιστρ
δκητ
δκα
  

Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Κων(σταντίνῳ) μαγίστρῳ (καὶ) δουκὴ τῷ Δούκᾳ

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1136
Diameter 18.0 mm

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Κωνσταντίνῳ μαγίστρῳ καὶ δουκὴ τῷ Δούκᾳ.

Mother of God, help Constantine Doukas, magistros and doux.

Commentary

J.-C. Cheynet has commented on this seal and its likely dating to the years between 1057 and 1059, when Constantine Doukas, previously attested as vestarches, received promotion to magistros and doux in reward for his support of Isaac Komnenos' coup in August 1057. He will have held this title and office until he became emperor upon Isaac's abdication in November 1059. See "Intrigues à la cour de Constantinople: le délitement d'une faction (1057-1081), in: Le saint, le moine et le paysan. Mélanges d'histoire byzantine offerts à Michel Kaplan. Publications de la Sorbonne: Paris 2016, p. 71, note 1.