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Nikephoros imperial spatharios and tourmarches of Mesothynia (?) (ninth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: Τ̣σ|Λ̣. . Wreath border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλ[ῳ]

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.

Νικηφ
ο/σπθ/
ρμαρχημ
.η

Νικηφ[όρ]ο β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθ(αρίῳ) [(καὶ) τ]ουρμάρχῃ Μ[ε(σο)θ]ηνήα(ς)

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: Τ̣σ|Λ̣. . Wreath border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλ[ῳ]

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.

Νικηφ
ο/σπθ/
ρμαρχημ
.η

Νικηφ[όρ]ο β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθ(αρίῳ) [(καὶ) τ]ουρμάρχῃ Μ[ε(σο)θ]ηνήα(ς)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2775
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5, no. 126.1.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικηφόρο βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ καὶ τουρμάρχῃ Μεσοθηνήας.

Mother of God, help your servant Nikephoros imperial spatharios and tourmarch of Mesothynia (?).

Commentary

Our reading of the seal requires a rather unusual abbreviation in the final word of the last line of the reverse.