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Michael Machetarios, eparch and vestarches (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

St. Michael standing, wings outspread, holding the sceptre and globus. Illegible traces of an inscription at left and right. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

επαρ
χονοντσ
ησφραγισσοι
εικνυειμα
χηταριονμι
χαηλτονε
σταρχην

ἔπαρχον ὄντως ἡ σφραγίς σοι δεικνύει Μαχητάριον Μιχαὴλ τὸν βεστάρχην

Obverse

St. Michael standing, wings outspread, holding the sceptre and globus. Illegible traces of an inscription at left and right. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

επαρ
χονοντσ
ησφραγισσοι
εικνυειμα
χηταριονμι
χαηλτονε
σταρχην

ἔπαρχον ὄντως ἡ σφραγίς σοι δεικνύει Μαχητάριον Μιχαὴλ τὸν βεστάρχην

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.607
Diameter 26.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Corpus 2, no. 1027; Orghidan, no. 307. See also Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 753.

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

Translation

ἔπαρχον ὄντως ἡ σφραγίς σοι δεικνύει Μαχητάριον Μιχαὴλ τὸν βεστάρχην.

The seal presents the vestarches Michael Machetarios who is in fact the eparch.

Commentary

See PBW: Michael 20321.

Bibliography