Theo... protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and judge of Paphlagonia (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross (X at first crossing) on four steps; pellets at the end of lower crossbars and around the top of the cross. Fleurons rising to the top of the cross. Traces of a circular inscription within a border of dots:
κεRοηθ
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ[ει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a decoration below. Border of dots.
θεο.
..α`σπαθ
..ιτ,χρ,τρ,
.κριτ,πα
φλαγ,ν
Θεο[.... β(ασιλικῷ)] (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) [ἐπ]ὶ τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)τρ(ι)[κλ(ίνου) (καὶ)] κριτ(ῇ) Παφλαγ(ο)ν(ίας)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross (X at first crossing) on four steps; pellets at the end of lower crossbars and around the top of the cross. Fleurons rising to the top of the cross. Traces of a circular inscription within a border of dots:
κεRοηθ
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ[ει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a decoration below. Border of dots.
θεο.
..α`σπαθ
..ιτ,χρ,τρ,
.κριτ,πα
φλαγ,ν
Θεο[.... β(ασιλικῷ)] (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) [ἐπ]ὶ τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)τρ(ι)[κλ(ίνου) (καὶ)] κριτ(ῇ) Παφλαγ(ο)ν(ίας)
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.127 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 11.15. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεο... βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου καὶ κριτῇ Παφλαγονίας.
Lord, help your servant Theo... imperial protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and judge of Paphlagonia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, volume 4: The East
- –
- Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles
- De Thematibus
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium
- Paphlagonien und Honorias
- Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των Βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας
- Paphlagonians in Byzantine High Society
Commentary
The round first letter of the reverse has to be Θ and not Λ, which excludes the name Leo: the owner's name could be Θεόδωρος, Θεοδόσιος, Θεοφάνης, Θεοφύλακτος, etc.