Zeus Numismatics

Web Auction 19  –  8 August 2021

Zeus Numismatics, Web Auction 19

Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Crusaders, Medieval, Armenian and Islamic Coins, Ant...

Su, 08.08.2021, from 5:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

★ A nice and historically important seal! ★

Byzantine lead seal of Nikephoros Botaneiates
as proedros and doux of Antioch
(ca 1065-1078).

Obverse: Saint martyr Demetrios of Thessalonike standing facial in military garments, nimbate, holding spear and shield, sigla Ο/Δ/Η-ΜΗ/ΤΡΙ/Ο/C (Saint Demetrios), all within double dotted border.

Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines, +ΚΕRΘ,/ΤΩCΩΔΟΥ,/ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΩ/ΠΡΟΕΔΡΩΚ,/ΔΟΥΚΙΑΝΤΙΟ/ΧΕΙΑ,ΤΩRΟ/ΤΑΝΕΙΑΤ, (Lord help your servant Nikephoros Botaneiates, proedros and doux of Antioch), all within double dotted border.

The owner of the present seal is Nikephoros Botaneiates ([1020]-after 1081). His possible origin is suggested by Skylitzes who names "Botaniates ex nobilibus a Phoca oriundus" when recording his rise to power in [1077/78]. Any relationship between the Phokas and Botaneiates families has not yet been traced. Cedrenus names "Romanus Sclerus, Burtza, Botaneiates, Basilii Argyrii filii" among the supporters of Isaakios Komnenos, in 1057. Skylitzes records that "magister Basilius Apocapes et magister Nicephorus Botaniates" campaigned against the Pechenegs in Bulgaria and were captured, dated to [1059/60]. He was military commander in the Danube area in 1064. Governor of Antioch in 1065. Although he enjoyed good relations with Romanos Diogenes, on the latter's accession as Emperor Romanos IV the relationship cooled. After Emperor Michael VII succeeded in 1071, Nikeforos Botaneiates returned to favour and was appointed kouropalates and strategos of the theme of Anatolikon. He rebelled against Emperor Michael VII, was acclaimed emperor 7 Jan 1078, gained the support of Suleiman Seljuk Sultan, and marched on Constantinople where a revolt broke out in his support against the unpopular government of the emperor. He entered Constantinople 24 Mar 1078, and was crowned Emperor NIKEPHOROS III the same day by the Patriarch. He married the wife of his predecessor, who had retired to a monastery, to gain legitimacy. He was faced by the rebellion of Nikeforos Bryennios, governor of Durazzo, and of Basilacius in Thessaly. The Turkish garrison of Nikaia also rose in revolt. He was excommunicated by Pope Gregory, and Robert "Guiscard" Duke of Apulia landed at Avlona and marched towards Durazzo. This was followed by the revolt of Nikeforos Melissenos, whose alliance with Sultan Suleiman enabled the latter to capture Bythinia and establish himself as Sultan at Nikaia. Finally, Alexios Komnenos rebelled and forced Nikeforos's abdication 4 Apr 1081.

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 23.9 gr
Diameter: 28 mm

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Starting price 1 EUR
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