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Romanos Diogenes, patrikios and strategos (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. Demetrios holding a spear in his right hand and his shield in his left. Sigla visible at right:  τ|ρ|ι, : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τρι(ος). A partially preserved circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock: ...οηθειτσουλ : [Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

κ̅.,θ
τσ̣,
ρμν
π̅ρ̅ι̅⸣Sστρ.
τ,γ,τ.
ογε.

Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Ῥωμανῷ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ) (καὶ) στρ[α]τ(η)γ(ῷ) τῷ Δ[ι]ογέ[ν](ῃ)

Obverse

Bust of St. Demetrios holding a spear in his right hand and his shield in his left. Sigla visible at right:  τ|ρ|ι, : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημή]τρι(ος). A partially preserved circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock: ...οηθειτσουλ : [Κ(ύρι)ε β]οήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

κ̅.,θ
τσ̣,
ρμν
π̅ρ̅ι̅⸣Sστρ.
τ,γ,τ.
ογε.

Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Ῥωμανῷ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ) (καὶ) στρ[α]τ(η)γ(ῷ) τῷ Δ[ι]ογέ[ν](ῃ)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1396
Diameter 33.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ῥωμανῷ πατρικίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ τῷ Διογένῃ.

Lord, help your servant Romanos Diogenes, patrikios and strategos.

Commentary

This seal surely belonged to the future emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–71) who is attested in the rank of patrikios during the reign of Constantine X Doukas (Skylitzes continuatus, 121).