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Paul patrikios and strategos (eighth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (indeterminate type). In the quarters: ̣..|..|.|Σ̣.: [τῷ δούλ]ῳ σ[ου]. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Inscription of at least four lines, three of which are legible. Indeterminate border.

λπ
τρικι
στ

[Παύ]λῳ πατρικίῳ (καὶ) στ[ρατηγῷ]

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (indeterminate type). In the quarters: ̣..|..|.|Σ̣.: [τῷ δούλ]ῳ σ[ου]. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Inscription of at least four lines, three of which are legible. Indeterminate border.

λπ
τρικι
στ

[Παύ]λῳ πατρικίῳ (καὶ) στ[ρατηγῷ]

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1226
Diameter 1.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε or Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ δούλῳ σου Παύλῳ πατρικίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ.

Lord or Mother of God, help your servant Paul, patrikios and strategos.

Commentary

The date of this seal, beyond the general appearance and letter forms, is based on the order of the invocative inscription on the obverse. In the eighth century, τῳ δούλῳ σου was used alongside the regular τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. The relatively elongated lower arm (with space between the theta and top of the beta) points to a date later in that century.