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Byzantine Empire, Lead Bulla Seal, Leo Nikerites, Doux, 11th - 12th Century A.D.
There is much we could say about this Byzantine eunuch general who served under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. On our seal, the title of doux (from which English "duke" is derived) was just one of many high-ranking positions enjoyed by Nikerites during his long career, which included posts in the Peloponnese (as anagrapheus), Bulgaria, & Cyprus. However, for our current infatuation in solar eclipses, this anecdote from Anna Komnene's Alexiad overshadows all others!"In the course of the discussion a certain Nicolas, one of the Emperor's [Alexios'] secretaries, came up to him and whispered in his ear, 'You may expect an eclipse of the sun to take place today [16 February 1086],' and on the Emperor's expressing a doubt, he swore with an oath that he was not lying. Then the Emperor, with his habitual quick-wittedness, turned to the Scythians and said, 'I appoint God as judge; and if a sign appears in the heavens this day, you will know for a surety that I have good reason for suspecting, and therefore not receiving, your embassy because your leaders are not sincere in their overtures for peace. If, however, no sign appears, I shall stand convicted of having been wrong in my surmise.' Before two hours had passed, the light of the sun failed, and the whole of its disc was darkened by the moon's passing over it. At that sight the Scythians were terrified, and the Emperor handed them over to Leo Nicerites (he was a eunuch, brought up among the soldiers from babyhood, and much respected) and ordered him to take a sufficient guard and conduct them to the Queen of Cities. And Leo started very willingly on the road to Constantinople. But the barbarians who were throughout intent on regaining their liberty, slew the guards who were keeping a very careless watch over them when they reached little Nicaea, and returned by devious paths to those who had sent them. Nicerites with three others escaped with difficulty and rejoined the Emperor at Goloë."
BZ113298. Lead bulla (tag seal), DOCBS Online BZS.1951.31.5.1259 (same boulloterion or dies); Wassiliou-Seibt BSML II 2526; CGB Istanbul 2.204; Seibt BBÖ I p. 226, 10, VF, uneven, off-centered impression, uniform yellow oxide patina with spots of roughness, remnants of channel for cord visible, weight 10.582g, maximum diameter 22.1mm, c. 1100 A.D.; obverse [CΦΓA]/ΓIC Λ[E]/ONTO[C] (sic!; "Seal of Leo/Leon") in three lines, a cross above (off blank), all within dotted border; reverse ΔOV/KOC TOV / [N]IKEPI/TOV (of Duke Nikerites) in three lines within dotted border; ex Time Machine, with a historical connection between Nikerites and a solar eclipse!; very rare; SOLD
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