Iezid hypatos and imperial spatharios (eighth century)
Obverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram: Κύριε βοήθει. In the corners: ιεζιδ : Ἰεζίδ. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
εελμικεεκτνεχθρνμου
Κύριε βοήθει Ἰεζὶδ. ἐξελοῦ μαι, Κύριε, ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross between fleurons above and below. Border of dots.
υπτ
κιΒσι
λικσπ
θρι
ὑπάτῳ καὶ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ
Obverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram: Κύριε βοήθει. In the corners: ιεζιδ : Ἰεζίδ. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
εελμικεεκτνεχθρνμου
Κύριε βοήθει Ἰεζὶδ. ἐξελοῦ μαι, Κύριε, ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross between fleurons above and below. Border of dots.
υπτ
κιΒσι
λικσπ
θρι
ὑπάτῳ καὶ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5485 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | J. Glynias, "Prayerful iconoclasts: Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726–750)," DOP 71 (2017), no. 6b (listing a previous edition and further references). |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Ἰεζὶδ ὑπάτῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ. ἐξελοῦ μαι, Κύριε, ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου.
Lord, help Iezid hypatos (and) imperial spatharios. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies.
Commentary
The inscription on the obverse quotes Psalm 142: 9. Note that the spelling Iezid follows the Greek but the name can also be rendered as Yezid.