Barsakios imperial protospatharios and strategos of the Peloponnesos (ninth/tenth century)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2156 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Field diameter | 20 mm |
| Condition | Break along the channel. Corroded (obv.). |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 2, no. 22.22. |
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin with her hands held palm outward before her. Traces of a circular inscription along a border of dots.
..ΚΕ..ΗΘ.ΤΣΔ
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
ΡΣ
ΚΙΟΣΠ
ΘΣΤΡΤ
ΙΓ,ΠΕΛΟΠ
ΟΝΙΣ
Βαρσακίο βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ στρατιγῷ Πελοπονίσου
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Βαρσακίο βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ στρατιγῷ Πελοπονίσου.
Mother of God, help your servant Barsakios, imperial protospatharios and strategos of the Peloponnesos.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2156 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Field diameter | 20 mm |
| Condition | Break along the channel. Corroded (obv.). |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 2, no. 22.22. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, vol. 2: South of the Balkans, the Islands, south of Asia Minor
- Byzantine Lead Seals, vol. 1
- La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d'Achaïe (1205-1430)
- Die Skleroi: Eine prosopographisch-sigillographische Studie
- Theophanis Chronographia
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles
- Realities of Byzantine Provincial Government: Hellas and Peloponnesos, 1180-1205
- The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium
- Die byzantinische Armee im 10. und 11. Jahrhundert: Studien zur Organisation der Tagmata
Commentary
The seal of Barsakios imperial protospatharios and strategos of the Peloponnesos, published by Zacos-Veglery, no. 2569a, appears to be at least fifty years earlier in date than the present specimen. Other 9th/10th century seals of strategoi named Barsakios are enumerated in DO Seals 2, 8.41, but these are decorated with the patriarchal cross.