A Development in Nomenclature on the Seals of the Byzantine Provincial Aristocracy in the Late Tenth Century

Abstract

REB 52 1994 France p. 187-211 P. Stephenson, A Development in Nomenclature on the Seals of the Byzantine Provincial Aristocracy in the Late Tenth Century. — The article examines the appearance and sudden proliferation of family names on Byzantine lead seals and places this innovation in a political context. It traces the delayed adoption of the practice on seals of the civilian bureaucracy and the imperial seal. It suggests that this is illustrative of attitudes prevailing among provincial aristocrats and at the imperial court. It emphasises the benefits of closer identification and therefore security accorded by the innovation.