Bucephalus Numismatic
Auction 6 12 Jun 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
PB Byzantine Lead Seal of Constantine, Protospatharios and Strategos of Zebel (11th century AD).
Obv: The Archangel Michael, wings outspread, holding the globus cruciger and sceptre. Sigla on either side: Μιχα(ήλ). Border of dots.
Rev: Inscription of five lines: Κωνσταντίν(ος) (πρωτο)σπαθαρίος (καὶ) στρατιγ(ῷ) τοῦ Ζεβέλ(ου). Border of dots.
Translation: Constantine, protospatharios and strategos of Zebel.
Unpublished. Another strategos of Zebel, from a seal in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, is known by the name Eustratios (DO, BZS 1951.31.5.874). The identification of Zebel with Gabala is based on Anna Komnena's statement that the strategaton of Gabala was also called Zebel in imitation of the local pronunciation (Alexiade, 135). Gabala/Zebel was made the seat of a strategos by John Tzimiskes in 975 (Yahya, 369) and placed under the authority of the doux of Antioch. The use of Arabs as local officials is shown on the seal of Abdellas, kouropalates and judge of Zebel, published by Cheynet, Collection Zacos, no. 51. The town remained in Byzantine hands until 1080: see Todt, "Region," 417-18.
Condition: Very Fine.
Weight: 12.32 g.
Diameter: 28.7 mm.
Obv: The Archangel Michael, wings outspread, holding the globus cruciger and sceptre. Sigla on either side: Μιχα(ήλ). Border of dots.
Rev: Inscription of five lines: Κωνσταντίν(ος) (πρωτο)σπαθαρίος (καὶ) στρατιγ(ῷ) τοῦ Ζεβέλ(ου). Border of dots.
Translation: Constantine, protospatharios and strategos of Zebel.
Unpublished. Another strategos of Zebel, from a seal in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, is known by the name Eustratios (DO, BZS 1951.31.5.874). The identification of Zebel with Gabala is based on Anna Komnena's statement that the strategaton of Gabala was also called Zebel in imitation of the local pronunciation (Alexiade, 135). Gabala/Zebel was made the seat of a strategos by John Tzimiskes in 975 (Yahya, 369) and placed under the authority of the doux of Antioch. The use of Arabs as local officials is shown on the seal of Abdellas, kouropalates and judge of Zebel, published by Cheynet, Collection Zacos, no. 51. The town remained in Byzantine hands until 1080: see Todt, "Region," 417-18.
Condition: Very Fine.
Weight: 12.32 g.
Diameter: 28.7 mm.