Niketas, imperial protospatharios and epi tes hetaireias, 10th century. Seal (Lead, 20 mm, 6.77 g, 12 h). +KЄ ROHΘЄI TⲰ CⲰ ΔOV' ("Lord, help your servant") Patriarchal cross on steps, with branches springing from base and X's behind the intersections, within a pearled circle. Rev. +NHKIT/A R’A’CΠA/ΘAPIⲰ KAI / ЄPH THC / ЄTЄP’ in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. An interesting seal of a palace guard commander in excellent condition. Extremely fine.


Niketas was the commander of a hetaireia, an imperial bodyguard regiment whose members were usually recruited among foreigners.