Theocharistos cleric and kouboukleisios (?) (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. Michael, facing, holding the scepter in his right hand and the globus cruciger in his left hand. Remains of inscription visible on both sides: Μ|ΙΑ: Μιχαήλ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.
ΚΕΟ
ΗΘΕΙΘΕΟ
ΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ
.ΛΗΡΙΚΟ
...
Κύριε βοήθει Θεοχαρίστῳ κλιρικὸ καὶ κουβουκλεισίῳ (?)
Obverse
Bust of St. Michael, facing, holding the scepter in his right hand and the globus cruciger in his left hand. Remains of inscription visible on both sides: Μ|ΙΑ: Μιχαήλ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.
ΚΕΟ
ΗΘΕΙΘΕΟ
ΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ
.ΛΗΡΙΚΟ
...
Κύριε βοήθει Θεοχαρίστῳ κλιρικὸ καὶ κουβουκλεισίῳ (?)
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1360 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 16.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus V/2, no. 1019. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Θεοχαρίστῳ κλιρικὸ καὶ κουβουκλεισίῳ (?).
Lord, help Theocharistos cleric and kouboukleisios (?).
Commentary
Laurent reads merely that he is a cleric and does not decipher the last line. The word kouboukleisios has been restored here based on its common combination with the title of cleric on seals--especially of this period--and the apparent ligature as the last letter after what sees to be a . While an educated guess, it seems the best reading of the reverse inscription.
As a further note, as Laurent points out, it is atypical--although not unattested--for an individual to merely call himself a cleric. Perhaps we can assume that the abbreviation for "imperial" is off the flan, or that it was left out of this seal but still intended.