Romanos Diogenes, patrikios and strategos (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. Demetrios holding a spear in his right hand and his shield in his left. Sigla visible at right: τ|ρ|ι, : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τρι(ος). A partially preserved circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock: ...οηθειτσουλ : [Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of St. Demetrios holding a spear in his right hand and his shield in his left. Sigla visible at right: τ|ρ|ι, : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τρι(ος). A partially preserved circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock: ...οηθειτσουλ : [Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κ̅.,θ
τσ̣,
ρμν
π̅ρ̅ι̅⸣Sστρ.
τ,γ,τ.
ογε.
Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Ῥωμανῷ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ) (καὶ) στρ[α]τ(η)γ(ῷ) τῷ Δ[ι]ογέ[ν](ῃ)
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1396 |
---|---|
Diameter | 33.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ῥωμανῷ πατρικίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ τῷ Διογένῃ.
Lord, help your servant Romanos Diogenes, patrikios and strategos.
Commentary
This seal surely belonged to the future emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–71) who is attested in the rank of patrikios during the reign of Constantine X Doukas (Skylitzes continuatus, 121).