Watch List notes:

Apolaphar (?), protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 10.34 g, 11 h). MHP - ΘV Nimbate Theotokos "Blachernitissa", raising both hands in prayer. Rev. ΘKЄ RO, / Tω Cω Δ૪ / AΠOΛAIΦ / A CΠAΘ' Ε/ΠI T૪ [XPΓ]/KΛ, in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Some marks and scratches, otherwise, very fine.


The reading of the personal name, which appears to be Arabic, is not entirely certain. John Skylitzes mentions a person named Apolaphar Mouchoumet, who was Emir of Sicily in the time of Michael IV (1034-1041). This seal possibly belongs to a person bearing a similar name.