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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

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

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.