Nikephoros Botaneiates, kouropalates and doux of the Anatolikoi (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Remains of an inscription at left: Τ|Ρ|Ι|Ο|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τριος. Border of dots.
Obverse
St. Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Remains of an inscription at left: Τ|Ρ|Ι|Ο|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τριος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in seven lines. Border of dots.
..Ε,Θ,
..ΚΗΦΟΡ.
ΚΡΟΠ..
ΔΞΤ..
ΝΤ,ΛΙΚ,..
ΟΤΝ..
...
[Κ(ύρι)]ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Νι]κηφόρ(ῷ) κουροπα[λά(τῃ)] (καὶ) δοὺξ τῶ[ν Ἀ]νατ(ο)λικ(ῶν) [τῷ] Βοταν[ειάτῃ]
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1571 |
---|---|
Diameter | 25.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 3, no. 86.18. Cf. Zacos-Veglery, no. 2690 bis a and b; G. Schlumberger, REG 13 (1900) 470-71; Rostovtsew-Prou, no. 878. |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Νικηφόρο κουροπαλάτῃ καὶ δοὺξ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν τῷ Βοτανειάτῃ.
Lord, help Nikephoros Boteneiates, kouropalates and doux of the Anatolikoi.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 3: West, Northwest, and Central Asia Minor and the Orient (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Sceaux (Open in Zotero)
- Documents de sigillographie byzantine: La collection C. Orghidan (Open in Zotero)
- Sceaux byzantins du Musée National de Varsovie (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantinische Rang- und Ämterstruktur im 8. und 9. Jahrhundert: Faktoren und Tendenzen ihrer Entwicklung (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This is the future emperor Nikephoros III (1078-1081). His career has been outlined by Zacos-Veglery, no. 2687. He is first mentioned as kouropalates in 1074 (Attaleiates, 185). This seal would have been struck before October 1077, when he revolted against Michael VII and ascended the throne.