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Nikephoros Komnenos (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

St. Demetrios standing, holding the sword on his right shoulder and, with his left hand holding the sheath. Inscription in columns to both sides: 
|Δ||Μ|ΗΤ|Ρ|Ι|Ο: ὁ ἄγιος ΔημήτριοςBorder of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in seven lines. Border of dots.


ΕΓΚΟΜ
ΝΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΣ
ΝΙΚΦΟΡΦΕ
Ρ̣Ν̣ΣΠΑΘΗΝ
ΣΦΑΤΤΣΑΝ
ΣΕΧΘΡΣ̣
ΕΧΕΙ

Ἐγὼ Κομνηνοῦ τὸ κράτος Νικηφόρου φέρων σπὰθην σφάττουσαν οὕς ἐχθροὺς ἔχει

Obverse

St. Demetrios standing, holding the sword on his right shoulder and, with his left hand holding the sheath. Inscription in columns to both sides: 
|Δ||Μ|ΗΤ|Ρ|Ι|Ο: ὁ ἄγιος ΔημήτριοςBorder of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in seven lines. Border of dots.


ΕΓΚΟΜ
ΝΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΣ
ΝΙΚΦΟΡΦΕ
Ρ̣Ν̣ΣΠΑΘΗΝ
ΣΦΑΤΤΣΑΝ
ΣΕΧΘΡΣ̣
ΕΧΕΙ

Ἐγὼ Κομνηνοῦ τὸ κράτος Νικηφόρου φέρων σπὰθην σφάττουσαν οὕς ἐχθροὺς ἔχει

Accession number BZS.1958.106.3272
Diameter 31.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 673.

Translation

Ἐγὼ Κομνηνοῦ τὸ κράτος Νικηφόρου φέρων σπὰθην σφάττουσαν οὕς ἐχθροὺς ἔχει.

I am the power behind Nikephoros Komnenos, bearing a sword that slaughters his enemies.

Commentary

The seal's owner is usually taken to be the youngest brother of Alexios I Komnenos who was promoted to sebastos upon Alexios's accession to power in 1081.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)