★ A very peculiarly phrased legend ★

Michael, hypatos and judge of the Hippodrome and Anatolikon, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 8.23 g, 12 h). MHP ΘV The Mother of God, nimbate, both hands half-raised before her, palms outward. Rev. [O ЄΠI T,] IΠΠ OΔP, [K]/PIT MIXA/HΛ VΠAT S / [T, A]NA[T]O/Λ,K ('Of the Hippodrome, judge, Michael, hypatos, and of Anatolikon') in six lines. DO Seals III 86.30. Web Auction 8 (2019), 1751. Areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.

The reverse legend is very peculiarly phrased for a non-metrical seal of the 11th century, dividing the judicial offices and placing the personal name not at the start of the legend but in the middle. Our Michael bore the modest court dignity of hypatos and held two judicial offices. In the capital, he was a judge of the Hippodrome, while in the province (theme) of Anatolikon, he was also a judge. It is possible that he farmed out the latter office.