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Theodore argyroprates and imperial ergasteriarches (seventh/eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of four lines. Linear border.

+ΘΕΟ
ΔΩΡΟΥ
ΑΡΓΥΡΟ
ΠΡΑΤ,

Θεοδώρου ἀργυροπράτου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Linear border.

α - β - γ - ε - η - ι - κ - λ - ρ - σ - τ - ω

βασιλικῷ ἐργαστηριάρχῃ

Obverse

Inscription of four lines. Linear border.

+ΘΕΟ
ΔΩΡΟΥ
ΑΡΓΥΡΟ
ΠΡΑΤ,

Θεοδώρου ἀργυροπράτου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Linear border.

α - β - γ - ε - η - ι - κ - λ - ρ - σ - τ - ω

βασιλικῷ ἐργαστηριάρχῃ

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1550
Diameter 28.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοδώρου ἀργυροπράτου βασιλικῷ ἐργαστηριάρχῃ.

(Seal of) Theodore argyroprates, imperial ergasteriarches.

Commentary

This monogram is slightly strange in the lack of correspondence in case between the two sides. On the obverse, the seal owner is referred to as an "imperial foreman (of the workshop)" in the dative, while on the reverse, he is referred to as Theodore the silver-seller. There is no doubt that the same man is both ergasteriarches and argyroprates; however, the two inscriptions differ in case as a result of being made at different times. It would appear that upon promotion to ergasteriarches Theodore replaced one face of his boulloterion (which no doubt had an invocation to the Lord or to the Mother of God) with a new one indicating his new office.