Narses (?) archbishop (eighth century)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.283 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Field diameter | 21 mm |
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type VIII); in the quarters: ΤΣ|ΔΛ. Thin wreath border.
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription in four lines. Thin wreath border.
ναρ
..αρχ
.επισκ
οπ
Νάρσου (?) ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νάρσου (?) ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ.
Lord, help your servant, the archbishop Narses (?).
Commentary
The reading of the seal owner's name is uncertain; the ΝΑ is clear, and there seems to be the remains of a cross before it, rendering this the beginning of the word. The letter after the alpha seems to be a Γ, Ρ, or Σ; with the beginning read as such, Narses is the most likely reading, although if there is a letter before the ΝΑ, then Anastasios becomes the most likely reading.