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Zacharias imperial protospatharios, epi tou koitonos, and meristes (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
σκεπε
...σ̣τεμ
...λ̣ατρ
.αχαρ,
αν

σκέπε, [Χρι]στέ μου, [σὸν] λάτρ(ιν) [Ζ]αχαρ(ί)αν

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
.α̣σπα̣θα̣ρ̣,
ν̣ε.ιτ,κ..
τ̣νο..
μερισ̣
την

[β(ασιλικὸν)] (πρωτο)σπαθάρ(ιο)ν, ἐ[π]ὶ τ(οῦ) κ(οι)τῶνο[ς (καὶ)] μεριστήν

Obverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
σκεπε
...σ̣τεμ
...λ̣ατρ
.αχαρ,
αν

σκέπε, [Χρι]στέ μου, [σὸν] λάτρ(ιν) [Ζ]αχαρ(ί)αν

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
.α̣σπα̣θα̣ρ̣,
ν̣ε.ιτ,κ..
τ̣νο..
μερισ̣
την

[β(ασιλικὸν)] (πρωτο)σπαθάρ(ιο)ν, ἐ[π]ὶ τ(οῦ) κ(οι)τῶνο[ς (καὶ)] μεριστήν

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2028
Diameter 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1956.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

σκέπε, Χριστέ μου, σὸν λάτριν Ζαχαρίαν βασιλικὸν πρωτοσπαθάριον, ἐπὶ τοῦ κοιτῶνος καὶ μεριστήν.

My Christ, protect your servant Zacharias imperial protospatharios, epi tou koitonos and meristes.

Commentary

The inscription on the obverse is metrical, that on the reverse prose.

The meaning of the term meristes (μεριστής) is uncertain; from its occurrences in the New Testament and Byzantine lexica it would appear to indicate a (tax?) official charged with overseeing the distribution of inheritances, but as Wassiliou-Seibt points out in her commentary it may equally refer to an official (who will have been a eunuch) entrusted with distributing gifts at imperial banquets.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)