Argyros spatharokandidatos (eleventh century)
Obverse
Faint outline of the bust of a holy figure, likely the Mother of God. No epigraphy or inscription visible. Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
αρ
γυρσπα
θαρ,καν
ι
Ἀργυρ(ῷ) σπαθαρ(ο)κανδιδ(άτῳ)
Obverse
Faint outline of the bust of a holy figure, likely the Mother of God. No epigraphy or inscription visible. Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
αρ
γυρσπα
θαρ,καν
ι
Ἀργυρ(ῷ) σπαθαρ(ο)κανδιδ(άτῳ)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1537 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions |
Translation
Ἀργυρῷ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ.
(Lord or Mother of God, help) Argyros, spatharokandidatos.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This seal has deteriorated to the point where two very different readings have been given. We follow Oikonomides's transcription made many years ago and stored in the DO files, but we should note here Wassiliou-Seibt’s reading in the second volume of her catalogue of metrical seals: ὁ ἀρχάγγελος σῴζοις Μιχαὴλ λάτρην. In our view this reading cannot be reconciled with the faint remains of the inscription on the reverse.