Michael Maurikas, vestes and strategos of Chios (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. George holding spear (r. hand) and shield (l. hand). Inscription in two columns: |Γ|Ε|ΓΙ|Ο,: Ὁ ἅγιος Γεώργιος. Circle of six-rayed stars alternating with pairs of pellets within two borders of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines followed by decoration. Border of dots.
.ε..
ιχη
εστηκ
στρτηγ
τησχητ,
μυρηκ,
Κύριε βοήθει Μιχαὴλ βέστῃ καὶ στρατηγῷ τῆς Χήου τῷ Μαυρηκᾷ
Obverse
Bust of St. George holding spear (r. hand) and shield (l. hand). Inscription in two columns: |Γ|Ε|ΓΙ|Ο,: Ὁ ἅγιος Γεώργιος. Circle of six-rayed stars alternating with pairs of pellets within two borders of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines followed by decoration. Border of dots.
.ε..
ιχη
εστηκ
στρτηγ
τησχητ,
μυρηκ,
Κύριε βοήθει Μιχαὴλ βέστῃ καὶ στρατηγῷ τῆς Χήου τῷ Μαυρηκᾷ
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3165 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 2, no. 41.6. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Μιχαὴλ βέστῃ καὶ στρατηγῷ τῆς Χήου τῷ Μαυρηκᾷ.
Lord, help Michael Maurikas, vestes and strategos of Chios.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 2: South of the Balkans, the Islands, South of Asia Minor (Open in Zotero)
- Die byzantinischen Bleisiegel in Österreich, Vol. 1, Kaiserhof (Open in Zotero)
- Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Molivdovuly grečeskogo Vostoka (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Μελέται περὶ τῆς διοικητικῆς διαιρέσεως καὶ τῆς ἐπαρχιακῆς διοικήσεως ἐν τῷ βυζαντινῷ κράτει (Open in Zotero)
- Les îles de l’empire byzantin: VIIIe-XIIe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- Hierarchia Ecclesiastica Orientalis: Series episcoporum ecclesiarum christianarum orientalium (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Probably same owner as DO Seals 1, 12.5, at an earlier stage in his career. The strategos of Chios is first attested in 1027 (Skylitzes, 373) at the head of a fleet operating in the Aegean. We have two more 11th century seals of strategoi of Chios, Leo Kyparissiotes, and John Aristenos (Sig., 196; Lihačev, Molivdovuly, 181, pl. 70,10).
The island of Chios (cf. Zacos-Veglery, no. 168) became part of the theme of the Aigaion before becoming part of the theme of Samos. Local administration was ensured by a tax collector (dioiketes, DO Seals 2, no. 41.3), then (?) by an archon (DO Seals 2, nos. 41.1 and 41.2) while its agricultural revenue, considerable because of the mastic, was concentrated and marketed under special conditions, perhaps connected to the Church of Constantinople (DO Seals 2, nos. 41.4 and 41.5); there must have been at least one imperial domain (DO Seals 2, nos. 41.1). A strategos of Chios appears in the 11th century soon to be followed by a katepano and a doux.
The bishopric of Chios, a suffragan of Rhodes, is attested since the 4th century. The 11th century foundation of Nea Moni was a major event in the ecclesiastical history of the island.
See Zakythinos, Meletai, 17, 259-61; Malamut, Iles, esp. 236-37, 300-301, 322-23, 326, 500-501, 570-72; Laurent, Corpus V/1, 534; Fedalto, 208-210; ODB I, 423-24.