chrysobullon sigillion

Roman and Byzantine document

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June 24, 2026

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A chrysobullon sigillion was a type of Byzantine document used for privileges of lesser importance, originating from around the 12th to mid-14th century. Unlike more solemn privileges, it was not personally signed by the emperor. Instead, its validation was marked by the emperor inserting a statement of the month and indiction in red ink. This document was also sealed with a golden bull. The term "chrysobull" itself refers to either a gold seal or a document issued under such a seal. These documents were part of a larger system of formal writing offices, or chanceries, developed by rulers in the Roman and Byzantine empires to issue directives and edicts.12

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diplomatics
The Roman and Byzantine empire
…century, a simplified form, the chrysobullon sigillion, was used for privileges of lesser importance. It was not signed by the emperor himself but was held to be validated by the insertion, by the emperor, in red ink of the menologema, a statement of month and indiction. It, too, was sealed…
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…century, a simplified form, the chrysobullon sigillion, was used for privileges of lesser importance. It was not signed by the emperor himself but was held to be validated by the insertion, by the emperor, in red ink of the menologema, a statement of month and indiction. It, too, was sealed…
Read More