Watch List notes:

Johannes, judge of the Thrakesion theme, 2nd half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 14.86 g, 11 h). +ΓPA/ΦAC CΦ[PA]/ΓIZⲰ KAI / KPICЄIC / IⲰANN૪ ("I seal the documents and decisions of Johannes") in five lines. Rev. [R]ЄCT૪ / ΔIKACΠO/Λ૪ TЄ TⲰN / ΘPAKHCI/ⲰN ("vestes and judge of the Thrakesians") in five lines. Apparently unpublished. Scuff on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


This interesting and apparently unpublished seal of a provincial judge has its legend divided over both sides in the form of two twelve-syllable verses. Johannes uses the word "dikaspolos" instead of the expected "krites" for "judge", undoubtedly for poetic reasons.