John Taronites, sebastos (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God with her hands raised in prayer, the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: μ̅θυ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Along the circumference, traces of a circular inscription: ΗΘΕΟΤ : ἡ Θεοτ[όκος ἁπλοῦσα]. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God with her hands raised in prayer, the medallion of Christ before her. Inscription on either side: μ̅θυ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Along the circumference, traces of a circular inscription: ΗΘΕΟΤ : ἡ Θεοτ[όκος ἁπλοῦσα]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
σποι
θμοι
̣σι̅
ατ
ταρνι
τ̣.
[Δέ]σποι[να], β(οή)θ(ει) μοι [τ]ῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ) Ἰω(άννῃ) [σε]βαστῷ τῷ Ταρωνίτ[ῃ]
Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1309 |
---|---|
Diameter | 25.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 610. See also Stratos Nikolaros, “Die Taronitai. Eine prosopographisch-sigillographische Studie,” Millennium 14 (2017), 227-291, no.18. |
Translation
Δέσποινα, βοήθει μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ σεβαστῷ τῷ Ταρωνίτῃ.
Lady, help me, your servant the sebastos John Taronites.
Commentary
The reading of this seal has been confirmed with reference to better preserved parallels. See PBW : Ioannes 20714.