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Sisinnios patrikios and strategos (eighth century, first half)

 
 
title

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: ΤΣ|Λ. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

..ελμεκεενθροππ̣ον̣ιρ

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

[Ἐ]ξελοῦ με, Κ(ύρι)ε, ἐξ ἀνθρόπου πονιροῦ

title

Reverse

In the center, an inscription of five lines. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with twelve o'clock:

...ονροσικολιρυσε..

Σισι
ννιπ
τρικι
Sστρτ
ηγ

Σισσινίῳ πατρικίῳ (καὶ) στρατηγῷ

[ἀπ]ὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου (καὶ) δολίου ῥῦσέ [με]

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: ΤΣ|Λ. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

..ελμεκεενθροππ̣ον̣ιρ

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

[Ἐ]ξελοῦ με, Κ(ύρι)ε, ἐξ ἀνθρόπου πονιροῦ

Reverse

In the center, an inscription of five lines. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with twelve o'clock:

...ονροσικολιρυσε..

Σισι
ννιπ
τρικι
Sστρτ
ηγ

Σισσινίῳ πατρικίῳ (καὶ) στρατηγῷ

[ἀπ]ὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου (καὶ) δολίου ῥῦσέ [με]

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1279
Diameter 30.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm
Previous Editions

See Joe Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts: Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726–750)," DOP 71 (2017), no. 14.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Σισσινίῳ πατρικίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ.

Ἐξελοῦ με, Κύριε, ἐξ ἀνθρόπου πονιροῦ ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου καὶ δολίου ῥῦσέ με.

Mother of God, help your servant Sisinnios, patrikios and strategos.

Deliver me, Lord, from an evil person, from an unjust and deceitful man, save me.

Commentary

The circular inscriptions on both sides of the seal quote from Psalms 139:1 and 42:1.