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Marianos patrikios and eparchos (tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type X); in the quarters an eight-rayed star and the legend: ΤΣ|.Λ : τῷ σῷ [δ]ούλῳ. Pellets flank the upper and lower letters of the monogram. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δ]ούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of four lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.


ΜΙΧ
ΗΛΠΤΡ
.ΚΙΚΙ
.ΠΡΧ.

Μιχαὴλ πατρ[ι]κίῳ καὶ [ἐ]πάρχ[ῳ].

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type X); in the quarters an eight-rayed star and the legend: ΤΣ|.Λ : τῷ σῷ [δ]ούλῳ. Pellets flank the upper and lower letters of the monogram. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δ]ούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of four lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.


ΜΙΧ
ΗΛΠΤΡ
.ΚΙΚΙ
.ΠΡΧ.

Μιχαὴλ πατρ[ι]κίῳ καὶ [ἐ]πάρχ[ῳ].

Accession number BZS 1951.31.5.2886
Diameter 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 22.6b; Laurent, Corpus 2: no. 1107.

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

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ πατρικίῳ καὶ ἐπάρχῳ.

Mother of God, help your servant Michael patrikios and eparchos.

Commentary

It is possible that there is a fifth line on the reverse reading ΚΠ, but on balance we doubt it. However, it is very similar to BZS.1947.2.543, and probably belonged to the same individual. That specimen identified Michael specifically as eparchos of Constantinople.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)