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Theodotos deacon and exarch of Paphlagonia (tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

Patriarchal cross (X at the lower crossbar) on indeterminate number of steps; fleurons rising on either side to the lower crossbar. At left and right, a pellet within a circle. Along the circumference, a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock. Border of dots.

κεRοηθειτσδλˊ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

θεο
δοτ΄δι
κονSεΞ
ρχ,πφλ
γον

Θεοδότ(ῳ) διακόν(ῳ) (καὶ) ἐξάρχ(ῳ) Παφλαγον(ίας)

Obverse

Patriarchal cross (X at the lower crossbar) on indeterminate number of steps; fleurons rising on either side to the lower crossbar. At left and right, a pellet within a circle. Along the circumference, a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock. Border of dots.

κεRοηθειτσδλˊ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

θεο
δοτ΄δι
κονSεΞ
ρχ,πφλ
γον

Θεοδότ(ῳ) διακόν(ῳ) (καὶ) ἐξάρχ(ῳ) Παφλαγον(ίας)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.233
Diameter 17.0 mm; field: 13.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 4, no. 11.42. See also Laurent, Corpus V/1, no. 242.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεοδότῳ διακόνῳ καὶ ἐξάρχῳ Παφλαγονίας.

Lord, help your servant Theodotos, deacon and exarch of Paphlagonia.

Commentary

Laurent was likely right to propose that Theodotos was a patriarchal representative with authority over the numerous monasteries of Paphlagonia. The seal of another exarchos of Paphlagonia, a cleric by the name of John, was published by Zacos, Seals II, no. 171.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II (Open in Zotero)
  • De Thematibus (Open in Zotero)
  • Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
  • Paphlagonien und Honorias (Open in Zotero)
  • Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας (Open in Zotero)