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Theodore hypatos, son of David (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Circular inscription between two borders of dots.

..σωδουλωκι.ωσω....

Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ καὶ [τ]ῷ σῷ

Reverse

Cruciform monogram, reading Θεοδώρῳ. Circular inscription between two borders of dots.

.πατωυ.ωδαυι.

Θεοδώρῳ [ὑ]πάτῳ ὑ[ί]ῳ Δαυί[δ]

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Circular inscription between two borders of dots.

..σωδουλωκι.ωσω....

Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ καὶ [τ]ῷ σῷ

Reverse

Cruciform monogram, reading Θεοδώρῳ. Circular inscription between two borders of dots.

.πατωυ.ωδαυι.

Θεοδώρῳ [ὑ]πάτῳ ὑ[ί]ῳ Δαυί[δ]

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1611
Diameter 30.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ καὶ τῷ σῷ . . . Θεοδώρῳ ὑπάτῳ ὑίῳ Δαυίδ.

Theotokos, help your servant and your attendant Theodore hypatos, son of David.

Commentary

In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent postulated a family name after δούλῳ in the obverse circular inscription, and dated this seal to the ninth/tenth century. However, the style of the seal is much more reminiscent of the eighth century, and in the eighth century, or indeed even in the early tenth, it would be surprising to find a family name on a seal, let alone in such a strange place within the inscription. More likely this is continuation of the invocation as the remains of the inscription seem to indicate.