Theodore hypatos, son of David (eighth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Circular inscription between two borders of dots.
..σωδουλωκι.ωσω....
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ καὶ [τ]ῷ σῷ
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Circular inscription between two borders of dots.
..σωδουλωκι.ωσω....
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ δούλῳ καὶ [τ]ῷ σῷ
Reverse
Cruciform monogram, reading Θεοδώρῳ. Circular inscription between two borders of dots.
.πατωυ.ωδαυι.
Θεοδώρῳ [ὑ]πάτῳ ὑ[ί]ῳ Δαυί[δ]
Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1611 |
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Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ καὶ τῷ σῷ . . . Θεοδώρῳ ὑπάτῳ ὑίῳ Δαυίδ.
Theotokos, help your servant and your attendant Theodore hypatos, son of David.
Commentary
In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent postulated a family name after δούλῳ in the obverse circular inscription, and dated this seal to the ninth/tenth century. However, the style of the seal is much more reminiscent of the eighth century, and in the eighth century, or indeed even in the early tenth, it would be surprising to find a family name on a seal, let alone in such a strange place within the inscription. More likely this is continuation of the invocation as the remains of the inscription seem to indicate.