Theodore apo eparchon and eparch of Italy (seventh century)
Obverse
Inscription of four lines preceded by a cross. Indeterminate border.
.ΕΟΤ
.ΚΕΟΗ
.ΕΙΘΕΟ
ΔΩΡ
[Θ]εοτ[ό]κε βοή[θ]ει Θεοδώρου
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Indeterminate border.
ΠΟΕ
ΠΡΧΩ.
ΚΙΕΠ.
ΧΙΤ
.Ι.
ἀπὸ ἐπάρχω[ν] καὶ έπά[ρ]χου Ἰτα[λ]ία[ς]
Obverse
Inscription of four lines preceded by a cross. Indeterminate border.
.ΕΟΤ
.ΚΕΟΗ
.ΕΙΘΕΟ
ΔΩΡ
[Θ]εοτ[ό]κε βοή[θ]ει Θεοδώρου
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Indeterminate border.
ΠΟΕ
ΠΡΧΩ.
ΚΙΕΠ.
ΧΙΤ
.Ι.
ἀπὸ ἐπάρχω[ν] καὶ έπά[ρ]χου Ἰτα[λ]ία[ς]
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.95 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 1, no. 2.2. Zacos-Veglery, no. 2923. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Θεοδώρου ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων καὶ έπάρχου Ἰταλίας.
Theotokos, help Theodore apo eparchon and eparch of Italy.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)
- Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Les sceaux byzantins du Médaillier Vatican (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Similar seal published in Sig., 211 (= Laurent, Vatican, no. 99); the DO and Vatican specimens appear to be from the same boulloterion.
Laurent was of the opinion that ἐπάρχωον was a mistake for ἐξάρχου and attributed the seal to the exarch Theodore Calliop (643-ca. 645; 653-666; see Brown, Gentlemen, 277, Theodorus, no. 1). Although the combination of titles of ex-eparch (dignity) and eparch (distinction) is unusual, as Laurent notes eparchs almost always hold the rank of patrikios. Consequently, this seal likely presents an otherwise unknown praetorian prefect.