International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

I. Seals of the kommerkiarioi of Dristra.
As a borderline center
 
of the Empire located on an important water way in Dristra was 
established a kommerkiaria. Its functions were linked to gathering the taxes of the import and 
export trade. The evidences for its existence are the seals of titulars which reached to us.
1. Andronicus imperial spatharios and kommerkiarios of Dristra – first half of the 11
th
c. From 
the collection of the Regional historical museum – Shumen. It`s origin is Silistra.
2. Dionysius spatarokandidates and kommerkiarios of Dristra – first half of the 11
th
c. From the 
collection of the Regional historical museum – Shumen. It`s origin is Silistra.
3. John kommerkiarios of Dristra – 11
th
c. Private collection.
4. John Spondilos kommerkiarios of Dristra – first half of the 11
th
c. From the collection of 
Dumbarton Oaks. It`s origin is probably Istanbul.
According to the seals we have an information about three or four kommerkiarioi of Dristra. 
For now it is impossible to determine the exact way of their functions. They have a common date – 
most likely in the first half of the 11
th
c.
II. Seals of the kommerkiarioi of Preslavitsa.
We have also mentioned that the historical successor of Preslavets or Little Preslavets is 
Preslavitsa. There are known the seals of strategos and kommerkiarios of Preslavitsa. This town has 
the same location as Dristra – borderline center, situated on a main water way in direct connection 
with Constantinople. There are known several kommerkiarios:
1. Eustratios Mitas chartoularios and kommerkiarios of Preslavitsa – first half of the 11
th
c. 
according to a specimen from the Archaeological museum in Istanbul. Probable origin from 
Constantinople.
2. Eustratios Romanakes spatarokandidatos and kommerkiarios of Preslavitsa – 11
th
c. According 
two seals of Dumbarton Oaks (DO. 47. 2.2. 2128 and Fogg A. M., no.1750). Probable origin 
from Constantinople.

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3. John kommerkiarios of Preslavitsa - 11
th
c. According to a seal from Dumbarton Oaks (DO 47. 
2. 137). Probable origin from Constantinople.
4. Sergios chartoularios and kommerkiarios of Preslavitsa. According two seals of Zacos collection 
Zacos
,
Seals
, II, no. 1043 and Dumbarton Oaks (Fogg A.M., no 860). Probable origin from 
Constantinople.
A chronology of the particular owners is not possible again. All these seals are the only evidence 
reached to us from once time prosperity town.
All these artefacts – archaeological, numismatical and sigillographical increased our knowledge 
for the population on the Lower Danube area in the 10
th
– 11
th
c. and reached us closer to their daily life.