Theophanes endoxotatos, patrikios, "man" of the emperor (tenth century)
Obverse
A cross in the center with stars in the quarters. The letters of the owner's name appear at each end of the cross and at the junction of the transverse bar: Θεοφάνει. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
στυροσσκεπητεοοτ
Σταυρὸς σκέπη τῷ ἐ(ν)δοξο(τά)τῳ Θεοφάνει
Reverse
Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock. In the field, an inscription of five lines.
κυριεοηθ̣Ε̣Ι̣..σπιστ
θ.ο,
π...ικ,
..τι
λοχοε
σποτ
Κύριε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ πιστῷ δού(λῳ) Θ[ε]οφ(άνει) π[ατρ]ικ(ίῳ), ἀ[ν(θρώπ)ῳ] τοῦ φιλοχ(ριστ)ο(ῦ) δεσπότου
Obverse
A cross in the center with stars in the quarters. The letters of the owner's name appear at each end of the cross and at the junction of the transverse bar: Θεοφάνει. Along the circumference, within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
στυροσσκεπητεοοτ
Σταυρὸς σκέπη τῷ ἐ(ν)δοξο(τά)τῳ Θεοφάνει
Reverse
Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock. In the field, an inscription of five lines.
κυριεοηθ̣Ε̣Ι̣..σπιστ
θ.ο,
π...ικ,
..τι
λοχοε
σποτ
Κύριε βοήθει [τῷ] σῷ πιστῷ δού(λῳ) Θ[ε]οφ(άνει) π[ατρ]ικ(ίῳ), ἀ[ν(θρώπ)ῳ] τοῦ φιλοχ(ριστ)ο(ῦ) δεσπότου
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1787 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm; field: 23.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Σταυρὸς σκέπη τῷ ἐνδοξοτάτῳ Θεοφάνει. Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ πιστῷ δούλῳ Θεοφάνει πατρικίῳ, ἀνθρώπῳ τοῦ φιλοχριστοῦ δεσπότου.
The Cross is protection for the gloriosimus Theophanes. Lord, help your faithful servant Theophanes, patrikios, "man" of the Christ-loving emperor.