Constantine Kamytzes, sebastos (twelfth century, first half)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.507 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Condition | Chipped |
| Previous Editions | Oikonomides, “Usual Lead Seal,” 152, figs. 3h (obv.) and 4h (rev.). Parallel: Seibt, Österreich 1: no. 171. |
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans, with the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla at left and right: ̅ – Θ̅Υ̅—Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εοῦ). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
Θ̅Κ̅Ε̅Θ,
ΚΝΝtι
νσε
τκμυ
τζη
Θεότοκε βοήθει Κωνσταντίνῳ σεβαστῷ τῷ Καμύτζῃ
Translation
Θ(εότο)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Κωνσταντίνῳ σεβαστῷ τῷ Καμύτζῃ.
Mother of God, help Constantine Kamytzes, sebastos.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.507 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Condition | Chipped |
| Previous Editions | Oikonomides, “Usual Lead Seal,” 152, figs. 3h (obv.) and 4h (rev.). Parallel: Seibt, Österreich 1: no. 171. |
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.507 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Condition | Chipped |
| Previous Editions | Oikonomides, “Usual Lead Seal,” 152, figs. 3h (obv.) and 4h (rev.). Parallel: Seibt, Österreich 1: no. 171. |
Commentary
The owner of this seal, the sebastos Constantine Kamytzes, is a known person who lived in the first half of the twelfth century, was married to a relative of Emperor John II Komnenos, was entrusted with several military commands, and died before Theodore Prodromos (i.e., probably before 1156–58).
When Constantine held the rank of sebastos, he had at least four boulloteria. As he chose not to mention on his seal the various functions he occupied for limited periods of time, all four boulloteria seem to have been faithful copies of each other; it is certain, however, that they were not molded one from another.