Watch List notes:

Johannes, primikerios, imperial ostiarios and epi ton deeseon, 10th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 8.99 g, 12 h). KЄ ROHΘЄI TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪Λ, patriarchal cross on steps, floral ornaments springing up from the base. Rev. +IⲰAN/NH ΠPIMIK, / R, OCTIAP, S / ЄΠI TⲰ, ΔЄ/HCЄⲰ, in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Minor flan cracks, otherwise, very fine.


Johannes, whose dignity of primikerios suggests he was a eunuch, was an official at the imperial court. As ostiarios, he had the honor of announcing dignitaries, and as epi ton deeseon, he was responsible for receiving and answering petitions addressed to the emperor.