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Eirene Doukaina (1081–1118)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of a bearded Christ, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of one pellet. Sigla: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

...οηθει

[Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει

Reverse

Half-length representation of Eirene wearing a crown with triangular ornaments and triple pendilia and a loros. She holds a scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

.ιρηνηαυγ.τητηδκαινη

[Ε]ἰρήνῃ αὐγού[σ]τῃ τῇ Δουκαίνῃ.

Obverse

Half-length representation of a bearded Christ, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of one pellet. Sigla: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

...οηθει

[Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει

Reverse

Half-length representation of Eirene wearing a crown with triangular ornaments and triple pendilia and a loros. She holds a scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

.ιρηνηαυγ.τητηδκαινη

[Ε]ἰρήνῃ αὐγού[σ]τῃ τῇ Δουκαίνῃ.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4349
Diameter 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 89.2; Zacos-Veglery, no. 103a.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Εἰρήνῃ αὐγούστῃ τῇ Δουκαίνῃ.

Lord help Eirene Doukaina, augusta.

Commentary

Eirene Doukaina was the eldest daughter of Andronikos Doukas. She was born in 1066, married Alexios I Komnenos in 1077, and, following Alexios’s death in 1118, became a nun. She died ca. 1133.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)