★ The patrikia Zoe, a Byzantine noblewoman ★

Zoe, patrikia, 1st half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 10.49 g, 12 h). MHP - ΘV The Mother of God (“Hodegetria”), nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, pointing with her right hand towards Infant Christ seated on her left arm. Rev. ΘKЄ R,/[HΘ]ЄI TH / [CΗ] Δ૪, ZⲰ/[H] ΠATPIK/KIA in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A beautiful seal of a Byzantine noblewoman. Cracked along the channel, otherwise, very fine.

In their official capacity, Byzantine noblewomen bore the same dignity as their husbands. Our Zoe must thus have been married to a man of patrician rank.