Nicholas protospatharios and asekretis (eleventh century, first half)
Obverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross, a decoration below. Border of dots.
κ̣υ̣ρ̣ι̣.
οηθειτ.
σουλˊν̣.
κολ̣σ̣.
θρικ̣ι
σικ̣ρ̣,τ̣,
Κύρι[ε] βοήθει τ[ῷ] σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Ν[ι]κολάῳ (πρωτο)σ[π]αθαρίῳ καὶ ἀσικρ(ῆ)τ(ις)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, decorations above and below. Border of dots.
η.φρ
γˊυτ,νικ,
λουτυν
χνσπθˊ
ριουτεκˊ
σικρ,τ,
ἡ [σ]φραγ(ὶς) αὕτ(η) Νικ(ο)λάου τυνχάν(ει) (πρωτο)σπ(α)θ(α)ρίου τε κ(αὶ) ἀσικρ(ῆ)τ(ις)
Obverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross, a decoration below. Border of dots.
κ̣υ̣ρ̣ι̣.
οηθειτ.
σουλˊν̣.
κολ̣σ̣.
θρικ̣ι
σικ̣ρ̣,τ̣,
Κύρι[ε] βοήθει τ[ῷ] σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Ν[ι]κολάῳ (πρωτο)σ[π]αθαρίῳ καὶ ἀσικρ(ῆ)τ(ις)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, decorations above and below. Border of dots.
η.φρ
γˊυτ,νικ,
λουτυν
χνσπθˊ
ριουτεκˊ
σικρ,τ,
ἡ [σ]φραγ(ὶς) αὕτ(η) Νικ(ο)λάου τυνχάν(ει) (πρωτο)σπ(α)θ(α)ρίου τε κ(αὶ) ἀσικρ(ῆ)τ(ις)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.3159 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 28.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus II, no. 100; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 848. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικολάῳ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ ἀσικρῆτις. ἡ σφραγὶς αὕτη Νικολάου τυνχάνει πρωτοσπαθαρίου τε καὶ ἀσικρῆτις.
Lord, help your servant Nicholas, protospatharios and asekretis. This happens to be the seal of Nicholas, protospatharios and asekretis.
Bibliography
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The seal combines a standard invocation on the obverse with two twelve-syllable verses forming the inscription on the reverse.
Note the well-intentioned but unfortunate attempt to restore the lettering on the left side of the reverse inscription.