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Michael priest, imperial cleric, kouboukleisios and kourator (of the monastery) of the parakoimomenos (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Decorated cross with pellets beyond all four arms and above three steps. Circular inscription inside border consisting of dots between two linear borders.

ΚΕΟΗΘΕΙΤΩΣ.....

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscriptions in five lines with pellets above and below. Border of dots.

···
ΜΙΧˊΠΡ
..ΥΤ,ΚΛ
...ΟΥΟΥΚ
..ΚΟΥΡ,Τ,Π
.ΡΑΚΥΜ
···

Μιχαὴλ πρεσβυτέρῳ, βασιλικῷ κληρικῷ, κουβουκλησίῳ, καὶ κουράτωρι τοῦ παρακυμωμένου

Obverse

Decorated cross with pellets beyond all four arms and above three steps. Circular inscription inside border consisting of dots between two linear borders.

ΚΕΟΗΘΕΙΤΩΣ.....

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscriptions in five lines with pellets above and below. Border of dots.

···
ΜΙΧˊΠΡ
..ΥΤ,ΚΛ
...ΟΥΟΥΚ
..ΚΟΥΡ,Τ,Π
.ΡΑΚΥΜ
···

Μιχαὴλ πρεσβυτέρῳ, βασιλικῷ κληρικῷ, κουβουκλησίῳ, καὶ κουράτωρι τοῦ παρακυμωμένου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1846
Diameter 23.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ πρεσβυτέρῳ, βασιλικῷ κληρικῷ, κουβουκλησίῳ, καὶ κουράτωρι τοῦ παρακυμωμένου.

Lord, help your servant Michael priest, imperial cleric, kouboukleisios, and kourator of (the monastery of) the Parakoimomenos.

Commentary

This monastery is likely the one of the parakoimomenos, Basil Lekapenos, discussed by Psellos and of which Laurent published a seal (Corpus V/2, no. 1141); Basil II did not shut it down but reduced its extravagance (Holmes, "Constantinople in the reign of Basil II," 331). Laurent identifies this monastery of the Parakoimomenos as likely the same as that of the Proedros (Corpus V/2, no. 1185-87).

Bibliography