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Michael (man of the) merarches (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God, orans. Sigla at left and right: Μ̅ ΘΥ :  Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

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


κε̅οη
θιμιχα
ηλτουμ
εραρχ,

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθι Μιχαὴλ τοῦ μεράρχ(ου)

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God, orans. Sigla at left and right: Μ̅ ΘΥ :  Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

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


κε̅οη
θιμιχα
ηλτουμ
εραρχ,

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθι Μιχαὴλ τοῦ μεράρχ(ου)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1992
Diameter 20.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθι Μιχαὴλ τοῦ μεράρχου.

Lord, help Michael (man of) the merarches.

Commentary

Any date for this seal is insecure. The epigraphy and style are poor, which, along with the depiction of the Mother of God, could suggest a twelfth-century date. However, if the style is the result of "provincial workmanship," we could move the date back into the eleventh century. This is here preferred, as there is no evidence for merarchai in the written sources after the late eleventh century.