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John son of Meze, patrikios (seventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform monogram, reading Ἰωάννου; in the quarters: ΥΙΟΥ|ΖΕ. Wreath border.

Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ

Reverse

Cruciform monogram, reading πατρικίου. Wreath border.

πατρικίου

Obverse

Cruciform monogram, reading Ἰωάννου; in the quarters: ΥΙΟΥ|ΖΕ. Wreath border.

Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ

Reverse

Cruciform monogram, reading πατρικίου. Wreath border.

πατρικίου

Accession number BZS.1958.106.1077
Diameter 20.0 mm; field: 18.0 mm
Previous Editions

Zacos-Veglery, no. 388.

Translation

Ἰωάννου υἱοῦ Μεζὲ, πατρικίου.

(Seal of) John son of Meze, patrikios.

Commentary

A related seal has an identical obverse to this one, but on the reverse contains a monogram of the title apo hypaton (BZS.1958.106.883). It is not quite clear whether this titular promotion refers to John or Mezezios, as we know that Mezezios had held both titles, patrikios when he rebelled and apo hypaton is attested on a seal (BZS.1955.1.194). The more logical reading would indicate that the title refers to John, the owner of the seal. For the rebellion of John see V. Prigent, “La Sicile de Constant II: l’apport des sources sigillographiques” who references a parallel seal found in Sicily. These seals must have been struck in the period before the rebellion, when John was merely representing the fact that he was the son of the very important Mezezios.