Byzantine lead seal of Petros in charge of Hetereia
(ca 11th cent.)

Obverse: Bust of archangel Michael, facing, nimbate, wearing military dress, holding stick in right hand, sigla [Ο ΑΡΧΩ]-Ν ΜΙΧΑΗΛ = Ὁ ἄρχων Μιχαὴλ (the archon Michael), all within dotted border.

Reverse: Inscription in 5 lines between decorative patterns and following a cross, + KΕΒ,Θ,/ΠΕΤΡΟ/ΕΠ,ΤΗC/ΕΤΕΡΙΑ/C= Κύριε, βοήθει Πέτρῳ ἐπὶ τῆς ἑταιρείας (Lord, help Petros in charge of hetaireia), dotted border.

The office of Petros, the owner of the present seal could be differently characterised as hetaireiarches. Hetaireia was a unit of emperor's bodygurad, whose function is uncertain. The commander of the hetaireia, as this Petros, a semimilitary official, was responsible also for the security of the imperial palace. Cf. Kazhdan, Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, pp. 925-926.

A nice seal with an unusual office!

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 14.60 gr
Diameter: 28 mm