Ares Numismatics
Web Auction 2 28 Sep 2019
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Lead seal of Nikephoros proedros and praitor of the theme of Anatolikon (12th cent.
Diam.: mm Weight: 7.67 gr. Condition: VF. Some light strikes on reverse, a little
off-centered sealing (upwards). Light green natural patina.
Obverse: The bust of the Mother of God "Nikopoios", en face, nimbate, holding Jesus
Christ on her chest in medallion. Inscription: Μ(ΗΤΗ)Ρ-Θ(ΕΟ)Υ (Mother of God), all
within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines (the first missing here), within dotted border: [+
Θ(ΕΟΤΟ)ΚΕ Β(ΟΗ)Θ(ΕΙ)]/ ΤΩ CΩ Δ(ΟΥ)Λ(Ω)/ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡ(Ω)/ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΩ/ [ΚΑΙ]
ΠΡΑΙΤΩΡ(Ι)/ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΑΤ(Ο)/ ΛΙΚΩ(Ν)= Θεοτόκε, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικηφόρῳ,
προέδρῳ καὶ πραίτορι τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν (Mother of God, help your servant
Nikephoros, proedros and praitor of the Anatolikoi).
Concerning the themes of Asia Minor, one of which was the Anatolikon, what is clear
is that at some point in the mid-7th century, probably in the late 630s and 640s, the
Empire's field armies were withdrawn to Anatolia, the last major contiguous territory
remaining to the Empire, and assigned to the districts that became known as the
themes. Territorially, each of the new themes encompassed several of the older
provinces, and with a few exceptions, seems to have followed the old provincial
boundaries. The first four themes were those of the Armeniacs, Anatolics and
Thracesians, and the Opsician theme. The Armeniac Theme (Θέμα Aρμενιακών,
Thema Armeniakōn), first mentioned in 667, was the successor of the Army of
Armenia. It occupied the old areas of the Pontus, Armenia Minor and northern
Cappadocia, with its capital at Amasea. The Anatolic Theme (Θέμα Ανατολικῶν,
Thema Anatolikōn), first mentioned in 669, was the successor of the Army of the East
(Ανατολή, Anatolē). It covered southern central Asia Minor, and its capital was
Amorium. Together, these two themes formed the first tier of defence of Byzantine
Anatolia, bordering Muslim Armenia and Syria respectively.
Bibliography: Haldon, John F. (1990), Byzantium in the Seventh Century: The
Transformation of a Culture, Cambridge University Press; Haldon, John F. (1999),
Warfare, state and society in the Byzantine world, 565–1204, Routledge; Kazhdan,
Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, pp.
89-90.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 7.69gr
Diameter: 26.11mm
From a Private Dutch, Collection.
Diam.: mm Weight: 7.67 gr. Condition: VF. Some light strikes on reverse, a little
off-centered sealing (upwards). Light green natural patina.
Obverse: The bust of the Mother of God "Nikopoios", en face, nimbate, holding Jesus
Christ on her chest in medallion. Inscription: Μ(ΗΤΗ)Ρ-Θ(ΕΟ)Υ (Mother of God), all
within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines (the first missing here), within dotted border: [+
Θ(ΕΟΤΟ)ΚΕ Β(ΟΗ)Θ(ΕΙ)]/ ΤΩ CΩ Δ(ΟΥ)Λ(Ω)/ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡ(Ω)/ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΩ/ [ΚΑΙ]
ΠΡΑΙΤΩΡ(Ι)/ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΑΤ(Ο)/ ΛΙΚΩ(Ν)= Θεοτόκε, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικηφόρῳ,
προέδρῳ καὶ πραίτορι τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν (Mother of God, help your servant
Nikephoros, proedros and praitor of the Anatolikoi).
Concerning the themes of Asia Minor, one of which was the Anatolikon, what is clear
is that at some point in the mid-7th century, probably in the late 630s and 640s, the
Empire's field armies were withdrawn to Anatolia, the last major contiguous territory
remaining to the Empire, and assigned to the districts that became known as the
themes. Territorially, each of the new themes encompassed several of the older
provinces, and with a few exceptions, seems to have followed the old provincial
boundaries. The first four themes were those of the Armeniacs, Anatolics and
Thracesians, and the Opsician theme. The Armeniac Theme (Θέμα Aρμενιακών,
Thema Armeniakōn), first mentioned in 667, was the successor of the Army of
Armenia. It occupied the old areas of the Pontus, Armenia Minor and northern
Cappadocia, with its capital at Amasea. The Anatolic Theme (Θέμα Ανατολικῶν,
Thema Anatolikōn), first mentioned in 669, was the successor of the Army of the East
(Ανατολή, Anatolē). It covered southern central Asia Minor, and its capital was
Amorium. Together, these two themes formed the first tier of defence of Byzantine
Anatolia, bordering Muslim Armenia and Syria respectively.
Bibliography: Haldon, John F. (1990), Byzantium in the Seventh Century: The
Transformation of a Culture, Cambridge University Press; Haldon, John F. (1999),
Warfare, state and society in the Byzantine world, 565–1204, Routledge; Kazhdan,
Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, pp.
89-90.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 7.69gr
Diameter: 26.11mm
From a Private Dutch, Collection.