Theodore argyroprates and imperial ergasteriarches (seventh/eighth century)
Obverse
Inscription in four lines. Indeterminate border.
+ΘΕ.
ΔΩΡΟΥ
ΑΡΓΥΡΟ
ΠΡΑΤ,
Θε[ο]δώρου ἀργυροπράτ(ου)
Obverse
Inscription in four lines. Indeterminate border.
+ΘΕ.
ΔΩΡΟΥ
ΑΡΓΥΡΟ
ΠΡΑΤ,
Θε[ο]δώρου ἀργυροπράτ(ου)
Reverse
Cruciform monogram. Indeterminate border.
α - β - γ - ε - η - ι - κ - λ - ρ - σ - τ - ω
βασιλικῷ ἐργαστηριάρχῃ
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.180 |
---|---|
Diameter | 27.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 513. |
Translation
Θεοδώρου ἀργυροπράτου βασιλικῷ ἐργαστηριάρχῃ.
(Seal of) Theodore argyroprates, imperial ergasteriarches.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
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 sides likely differ in case as a result of being made at different times or by different hands; perhaps Theodore was promoted to ergasteriarches and had a new stamp made to fit onto his boulleterion, or perhaps the dative inscription implies Κύριε/Θεοτόκε βοήθει.