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Samonas patrikios, imperial protospatharios and parakoimomenos (tenth century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps; pellets at the end of the lower transverse bar. In the upper quarters: σμ . Stars in the lower quarters. Along the circumference, within a border of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at seven o'clock:

κεοηθε.σουλ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθε[ι] τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Σ(α)μ(ωνᾷ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

σ̣.
νπτρι
κσπθ
πρκοι
μ̣Μεν

Σα[μ]ωνᾷ πατρικ(ίῳ), β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) παρακοιμωμέν(ῳ)

Obverse

A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps; pellets at the end of the lower transverse bar. In the upper quarters: σμ . Stars in the lower quarters. Along the circumference, within a border of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at seven o'clock:

κεοηθε.σουλ

Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθε[ι] τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ) Σ(α)μ(ωνᾷ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

σ̣.
νπτρι
κσπθ
πρκοι
μ̣Μεν

Σα[μ]ωνᾷ πατρικ(ίῳ), β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) παρακοιμωμέν(ῳ)

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1263
Diameter 29.0 mm; field: 24.0 mm
Condition Cracked along the channel.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Σαμωνᾷ. Σαμωνᾷ πατρικίῳ, βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ παρακοιμωμένῳ.

Lord, help your servant Samonas. Samonas patrikios, imperial protospatharios and parakoimomenos.

Commentary

This is no doubt the notorious official and courtier Samonas who was made parakoimomenos in 907; this seal will thus have been struck between 907 and 911.