Nikephoros Samonas, protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, mystographos, judge of the Hippodrome and of Cyprus (eleventh century)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, presumably beginning with a cross. No border visible.
θκε..
ν.κηφο.
ασπαθεπ.
ττκλ̅..
μυστογ.
Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Ν[ι]κηφό[ρ(ῳ)] (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπ[ὶ] τοῦ Χρ(υσο)τ(ρι)κλ[ίνου], μυστογ[ράφῳ]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, top line illegible. No border visible.
.....
πιτ...
ρομτ..
υπρτ.
σαμν.
[κριτῇ ἐ]πὶ τοῦ [Ἱππ(οδ)]ρόμ(ου) (καὶ) τ[ῆς Κ]ύπρου τῷ [Σ]αμων[ᾷ]
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, presumably beginning with a cross. No border visible.
θκε..
ν.κηφο.
ασπαθεπ.
ττκλ̅..
μυστογ.
Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Ν[ι]κηφό[ρ(ῳ)] (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπ[ὶ] τοῦ Χρ(υσο)τ(ρι)κλ[ίνου], μυστογ[ράφῳ]
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, top line illegible. No border visible.
.....
πιτ...
ρομτ..
υπρτ.
σαμν.
[κριτῇ ἐ]πὶ τοῦ [Ἱππ(οδ)]ρόμ(ου) (καὶ) τ[ῆς Κ]ύπρου τῷ [Σ]αμων[ᾷ]
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1732 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Νικηφόρῳ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου, μυστογράφῳ, κριτῇ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἱπποδρόμου καὶ τῆς Κύπρου τῷ Σαμωνᾷ.
Mother of God, help Nikephoros Samonas, protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, mystographos, judge of the Hippodrome and of Cyprus.
Commentary
This specimen should be added to the section containing seals of officials responsible for Cyprus in DO Seals 2 (§38).