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Basil (?) imperial strator and archon of Christoupolis (ninth century)

 
 

Obverse

Patriarchal cross on four steps. Circular inscription between concentric borders of dots.

ΚΕΟΗ...ΣΔΟΥΛ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοή[θει τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

.....
.ΗΣΤΡ
ΑΤΟΡΑΡΧ
ΟΝΤΗΣΧΡΙ
ΣΤΟΠΟΛ

[Βασιλ]ήῳ β(ασιλικῷ) στράτορ(ι) (καὶ) ἄρχον(τι) τῆς Χριστοπόλ(εως)

Obverse

Patriarchal cross on four steps. Circular inscription between concentric borders of dots.

ΚΕΟΗ...ΣΔΟΥΛ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοή[θει τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

.....
.ΗΣΤΡ
ΑΤΟΡΑΡΧ
ΟΝΤΗΣΧΡΙ
ΣΤΟΠΟΛ

[Βασιλ]ήῳ β(ασιλικῷ) στράτορ(ι) (καὶ) ἄρχον(τι) τῆς Χριστοπόλ(εως)

Accession number BZS.1947.2.64
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 1, no. 39.2. Similar seal, but from a different boulloterion, published by Ebersolt, RN 18 (1914) 223, no. 301.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Βασιλήῳ βασιλικῷ στράτορι καὶ ἄρχοντι τῆς Χριστοπόλεως.

Lord, help your servant Basil, imperial strator and archon of Christoupolis.

Commentary

The name of the owner has been read as Βασιλήῳ based on what remains of the right portion of the letter preceding Η, which appears to be a lambda. This reconstruction is supported by the parallel specimen published by Ebersolt.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)
  • Sceaux byzantins du musée de Constantinople (Open in Zotero)
  • Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)