Polychronios koubikoularios and optio (seventh/eighth century)
Obverse
Cruciform monogram, reading Πολυχρονίῳ; in the quarters, starts. Circular inscription bounded on the inside by a wreath border and on the outside by an indeterminate border.
..οτοκεβο.θιτ.......
Θεοτοκε βοήθι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πολυχρονίῳ
Obverse
Cruciform monogram, reading Πολυχρονίῳ; in the quarters, starts. Circular inscription bounded on the inside by a wreath border and on the outside by an indeterminate border.
..οτοκεβο.θιτ.......
Θεοτοκε βοήθι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πολυχρονίῳ
Reverse
Cruciform monogram, reading κουβικουλαρίῳ; in the quarters, starts. Circular inscription bounded on the inside by a wreath border and on the outside by an indeterminate border.
..τ...ν....οπτιονι
κουβικουλαρίῳ . . . οπτιονι
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2712 |
---|---|
Diameter | 28.0 mm |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτοκε βοήθι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πολυχρονίῳ κουβικουλαρίῳ . . . οπτιονι.
Theotokos, help your servant Polychronios koubikoularios . . . (and) optio.
Commentary
The reverse of this seal is difficult to interpret, as nearly assuredly the seal reads κουβικουλαρίῳ in the monogram, while containing ὀπτίονι as part of the circular inscription; the rest of the inscription is effaced. To be empowered with the title of koubikoularios and the office of optio are strange together; this seal may be the first attestation of the combination.