Theodore Balanites, protospatharios (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God raising both hands up to her right, gesturing toward the manus Dei. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
..ε,Θ,
.εοδρ,
.σπ.θαρ,
.αλα
νιτι
[Κ(ύρι)]ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Θ]εοδώρ(ῳ) [(πρωτο)] σπ[α]θαρ(ίῳ) [τ]ῷ Βαλανιτι
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God raising both hands up to her right, gesturing toward the manus Dei. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
..ε,Θ,
.εοδρ,
.σπ.θαρ,
.αλα
νιτι
[Κ(ύρι)]ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Θ]εοδώρ(ῳ) [(πρωτο)] σπ[α]θαρ(ίῳ) [τ]ῷ Βαλανιτι
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1108 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm |
| Condition | Struck off-center; pierced with two holes in the center of the seal. |
| Previous Editions | See PBW : Theodore 20406. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Θεοδώρῳ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ τῷ Βαλανιτι.
Lord, help Theodore Balanites, protospatharios.
Commentary
We read the owner's title as protospatharios but it is not out of the question that it was imperial spatharios; the determining abbreviation is not preserved.