Basil imperial protospatharios, epi tou Chrysotriklinou, son (or protégé) of the epi ton deeseon (tenth century)
Obverse
Cross on three steps, with two transverse bars (X at the intersections) and fleurons rising to the first crossbar. Remains of a circular inscription along the circumference. Border of dots.
κε.οηθειτσδ...
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, preceded and followed by a decoration. Border of dots.
σι
.ˊˊσΠθ,
..τ,χρυσ,τρ,
.πιτν
δεησ,ν
Βασιλείῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ᾽πὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου τοῦ ᾽πὶ τῶν δεήσεων
Obverse
Cross on three steps, with two transverse bars (X at the intersections) and fleurons rising to the first crossbar. Remains of a circular inscription along the circumference. Border of dots.
κε.οηθειτσδ...
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, preceded and followed by a decoration. Border of dots.
σι
.ˊˊσΠθ,
..τ,χρυσ,τρ,
.πιτν
δεησ,ν
Βασιλείῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ᾽πὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου τοῦ ᾽πὶ τῶν δεήσεων
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.1381 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Βασιλείῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ έπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου τοῦ ἐπὶ τῶν δεήσεων.
Lord, help your servant Basil imperial protospatharios, epi tou Chrysotriklinou, son (or protégé) of the master of petitions.
Commentary
Note the unusual contraction of ΤΠΙ for τοῦ ἐπὶ in line four of the reverse; we suspect that a similar contraction (᾽πὶ τοῦ) will have been used at the beginning of line three.
The formulation in the last two lines of the inscription (ὁ τοῦ ἐπὶ τῶν δεήσεων, i.e. "son" or "protégé" of the master of petitions) serves almost as a family name or announcement of lineage rather than as an indication of the owner's office.