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Michael patrikios and eparchos of Constantinople (tenth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type X, but with rays extending from the central Θ); in the quarters an eight-rayed star and the legend: .Σ|Λ : [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.


ΜΙΧ
ΗΛΠΤ..
ΚΙΚΙ.
ΠΡΧ.
ΚΠ

Μιχαὴλ πατ[ρι]κίῳ καὶ [ἐ]πάρχ[ῳ] Κ(ωνσταντινου)π(όλεως)

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type X, but with rays extending from the central Θ); in the quarters an eight-rayed star and the legend: .Σ|Λ : [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.


ΜΙΧ
ΗΛΠΤ..
ΚΙΚΙ.
ΠΡΧ.
ΚΠ

Μιχαὴλ πατ[ρι]κίῳ καὶ [ἐ]πάρχ[ῳ] Κ(ωνσταντινου)π(όλεως)

Accession number BZS.1947.2.543
Diameter 32.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 22.6a; Laurent, Corpus 2: no. 1007.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ πατρικίῳ καὶ ἐπάρχῳ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.

Mother of God, help your servant Michael, patrikios and eparchos of Constantinople.

Commentary

This specimen is similar to BZS.1951.31.5.2886, and likely belonged to the same individual.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)