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Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118)

 
 

Obverse

Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at right: χ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Border of dots.

Reverse

The emperor Alexios I bearded, standing on a dais, wearing a crown and loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist (not visible). He holds a labarum in his right hand and a globus cruciger in his left. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.

ΛΛΕιωδ...........

Ἀλεξίῳ δ[(εσ)πότ(ῃ) τῷ Κομνην(ῷ)]

Obverse

Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at right: χ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Border of dots.

Reverse

The emperor Alexios I bearded, standing on a dais, wearing a crown and loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist (not visible). He holds a labarum in his right hand and a globus cruciger in his left. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.

ΛΛΕιωδ...........

Ἀλεξίῳ δ[(εσ)πότ(ῃ) τῷ Κομνην(ῷ)]

Accession number BZS.1958.106.617
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 88.8.

Translation

Ἀλεξίῳ δεσπότῃ τῷ Κομνηνῷ.

Alexios Komnenos, despotes.

Commentary

The inscription identifying the emperor begins with a deformed alpha, that looks like Λ.

The reading of the reverse inscription here, in particular the abbreviations, is based on comparison with BZS.1958.106.611.

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)