Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 16 22-24 May 2021
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Johannes, monk and orphanotrophos, 1st half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 14.27 g, 12 h). O / A/ΓI/O/C – N/I/KO/ΛA/O St. Nicholas standing to left, nimbate, raising both hands in supplication towards the hand of God, extending down in the upper left field. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ / IⲰ MONA/X, S OPΦA/NOTPO/Φ ("Lord, help your servant Johannes, monk and orphanotrophos") in six lines, decorations above and flanking last line. Zacos/Veglery 2677b. A seal belonging to a very important historical figure. Scrape on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.
The orphanotrophos was the director of the orphanotropheion, the imperial orphanage in Constantinopolis. Our seal's owner can be identified as one of the most well-known bearers of the office: the eunuch John the Orphanotrophos, a trusted confidant of Basil II (976-1025) and supporter of Romanos III (1028-1034), who rewarded him with the high court rank of parakoimomenos. John used his influence at the court to advance his family's interests and arranged positions for all of his brothers, two of whom were also eunuchs. One of his brothers succeeded Romanos as emperor Michael IV (1034-1041), but the elder brother John was the power behind the throne. However, when his nephew Michael V became emperor, John lost his grip on power. All of his bearded male relatives were castrated and he himself was blinded and banished to Lesbos, where he died in 1043.
The orphanotrophos was the director of the orphanotropheion, the imperial orphanage in Constantinopolis. Our seal's owner can be identified as one of the most well-known bearers of the office: the eunuch John the Orphanotrophos, a trusted confidant of Basil II (976-1025) and supporter of Romanos III (1028-1034), who rewarded him with the high court rank of parakoimomenos. John used his influence at the court to advance his family's interests and arranged positions for all of his brothers, two of whom were also eunuchs. One of his brothers succeeded Romanos as emperor Michael IV (1034-1041), but the elder brother John was the power behind the throne. However, when his nephew Michael V became emperor, John lost his grip on power. All of his bearded male relatives were castrated and he himself was blinded and banished to Lesbos, where he died in 1043.