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Leo Blangas, strategos and anagrapheus of Seleukeia (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.

·
ΚΕ,Θ,
ΤΣ,
ΛΕΟΝΤΙ
ΣΤΡΑΤΗ
Γ

-·-

Κ(ὐρι)ε β(οἠ)θει τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Λέοντι στρατηγῷ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.

·
ΑΝΑ
ΓΡΑΦΕΙ
ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΙ
ΑΣΤΛΑ
ΓΓΑ

-·-

(καὶ) ἀναγραφεῖ Σελευκείας τῷ Βλάγγᾳ

Obverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.

·
ΚΕ,Θ,
ΤΣ,
ΛΕΟΝΤΙ
ΣΤΡΑΤΗ
Γ

-·-

Κ(ὐρι)ε β(οἠ)θει τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Λέοντι στρατηγῷ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.

·
ΑΝΑ
ΓΡΑΦΕΙ
ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΙ
ΑΣΤΛΑ
ΓΓΑ

-·-

(καὶ) ἀναγραφεῖ Σελευκείας τῷ Βλάγγᾳ

Accession number BZS 1951.31.5.1316
Diameter 24.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 6.1; a similar specimen from a different boulloterion, is published in Cheynet, "Sceaux byzantins," no. 57. A parallel is in the Zarnitz Collection (Staatliche Münzsammlung München), no. 564; see: Auktion Hirsch, Sale 196 (24–27 September 1997), no. 1034, and Münz Zentrum, Sale 100 (8–10 September 1999), no. 125.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κὐριε βοἠθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Λέοντι στρατηγῷ καὶ ἀναγραφεῖ Σελευκείας τῷ Βλάγγᾳ.

Lord, help your servant Leo Blangas, strategos and anagrapheus of Seleukeia.

Commentary

After the Arabs took control of Cilicia in the eighth century, the region of Seleukeia was reorganized for the defense of the Byzantine borderlands, becoming an administrative and military kleisoura. It was elevated by Romanos I Lekapenos to the rank of theme, governed by a strategos, between 927 and 934.

For the family name of this seal's owner, as well as the typical combination of civil and military offices during the eleventh century, see Cheynet, "Sceaux byzantins," p. 426; see also PBW : Leon 20128.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Sceaux byzantins des Musées d’Antioche et de Tarse (Open in Zotero)