Cyril patrikios (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St Cyril, facing, in episcopal clothing, blessing with his right hand and holding a book in his left. Inscription to the left and right: .|Α|.Ι|..Κ|Ρ|Λ : [ὁ] ἅ[γ]ι[ος] Κ(ύ)ρ(ι)λ(λος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in three lines with pellets below. Border of dots.
ΚΕ..
ηθεικ.
ρλ/ οΠ̅Ρ̅Ι̅
Κ(ύρι)ε [βο]ήθει Κ[υ]ρ(ί)λ(λῳ) π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ)
Obverse
Bust of St Cyril, facing, in episcopal clothing, blessing with his right hand and holding a book in his left. Inscription to the left and right: .|Α|.Ι|..Κ|Ρ|Λ : [ὁ] ἅ[γ]ι[ος] Κ(ύ)ρ(ι)λ(λος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in three lines with pellets below. Border of dots.
ΚΕ..
ηθεικ.
ρλ/ οΠ̅Ρ̅Ι̅
Κ(ύρι)ε [βο]ήθει Κ[υ]ρ(ί)λ(λῳ) π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ)
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.793 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 15.0 mm |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Κυρίλλῳ πατρικίῳ.
Lord, help Cyril, patrikios.
Commentary
While it is possible that the abbreviation on the reverse, ΠΡΙ, could indicate patriarch as well as patrikios, in this case the more common patrikios seems most likely, especially without a placename thereafter. If this were the seal of a patriarch, it would have to be dated roughly a century later than it would be purely on stylistic grounds, and would be the seal of Cyril II, the patriarch of Alexandria c. 1100.