Urbitziotes Nikolaos – ein byzantinischer Funktionär aus dem bulgarischen Urvič im 11. Jahrhundert
Nikolaos Urbiziotes - a Byzantine functionary from the Bulgarian Urvič in the 11th century

Summary/Abstract: A Byzantine seal in Dumbarton Oaks (DO 55.1.3209) probably from the second third of the 11th century with two standing figures on the obverse (the right one is St.Nicholas) has the following reverse legend: + Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) Νικολά(ῳ) (πρωτο)σπαθαρί(ῳ) ἐπὶ τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)(τρι)κλ(ίνου)[κ(αὶ) (πρωτο)]νοταρ[ί(ῳ) τ]ῷ Οὐρβι[τ]ζιώτ[ῃ]. The surname Ourbitziotes clearly indicates the provenance of Nikolaos from a Bulgarian village or fortress called Urvič. In Byzantine sources only one Οὐρβίτζιον is attested (in a poem of Manuel Philes), which was located west of Varna, but there are at least two other places with this name in Bulgaria. The surname Ourbikiotes is probably not an alternative spelling of Ourbitziotes but declares a provenance from Ourbikion in Constantinople.

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