Symeon protospatharios and chartoularios of the Bulgarians (tenth/eleventh century)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2710 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Condition | One-third missing; rev. oxidized. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 1, no. 20.1. |
Obverse
Inscription of four lines; ornament at top and bottom. Border of dots.
ΣΥΜ.
ΝΠΡ.
ΤΟΣ
ΘΑΡ
·
Συμεὼν πρωτοσπαθάριος
Reverse
Inscription of four lines; ornament at top (and bottom?). Border of dots.
..Α,Τ
....ΟΝ
ΟΥΛ
ΓΑΡ,
καὶ χὰρτουλάριος τον Βουλγάρων
Translation
Συμεὼν πρωτοσπαθάριος καὶ χὰρτουλάριος τον Βουλγάρων.
Symeon protospatharios and chartoularios of the Bulgarians.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2710 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Condition | One-third missing; rev. oxidized. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 1, no. 20.1. |
Commentary
This seal relates to Bulgarian troops established before 959 in the Chalkidiki. The presence of these soldiers in the area is reflected in a pittakion (996) of Emperor Basil II which mentions a certain Basil, "tourmarches of the Bulgarians." Cf. Iviron I, 167. Moreover, we find a tenth-century seal of a koumerkiarios ton Boulgaron (Zacos, Seals II, no. 910, erroneously dated to the late 9th century). These, together with this specimen, allow one to conclude that the unit of the Bulgarians was important and had reached a developed stage of organization from the military, administrative, and economic points of view. See N. Oikonomides, "Le commerciaire des Bulgares" in Bulgaria Pontica Medii Aevi IV.