Michael/Manuel bishop / Theodore, patrikios and strategos (tenth century)
Obverse
Double struck: Bust of beardless, youthful, nimbate saint, seemingly winged and holding scepter in r. hand, likely St. Michael. Overstuck on inscription in five lines with four pellet design above. Indeterminate border.
Θεοδώρ(ῳ) [πατρ]ικ(ίῳ) (καὶ) [στρα]τηγ(ῷ) . . .
Reverse
Cruciform monogram, reading either Μιχαήλ or Μανουήλ, with inscription in four angles of the cruciform: ΕΠΙΣ|ΚΟΠ. Additionally, there is an inscription visible in the fields to the l. and r. of monogram, likely the remains of a circular inscription between two borders of dots.
Μιχαήλ/Μανουήλ ἐπισκόπο
Circular Inscription: βοή[θι]
Obverse
Double struck: Bust of beardless, youthful, nimbate saint, seemingly winged and holding scepter in r. hand, likely St. Michael. Overstuck on inscription in five lines with four pellet design above. Indeterminate border.
Θεοδώρ(ῳ) [πατρ]ικ(ίῳ) (καὶ) [στρα]τηγ(ῷ) . . .
Reverse
Cruciform monogram, reading either Μιχαήλ or Μανουήλ, with inscription in four angles of the cruciform: ΕΠΙΣ|ΚΟΠ. Additionally, there is an inscription visible in the fields to the l. and r. of monogram, likely the remains of a circular inscription between two borders of dots.
Μιχαήλ/Μανουήλ ἐπισκόπο
Circular Inscription: βοή[θι]
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2031 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus V/1, no. 992. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοδώρῳ πατρικίῳ καὶ στρατηγῷ. . . (Θεοτόκε/Κύριε) βοήθι Μιχαὴλ ἐπισκόπῳ.
Theodore patrikios and strategos. . . Theotokos/Lord help Michael episkopos.
Bibliography
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Overstruck Seals in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This seal is overstruck, as is quite clear on the obverse. The inscription over which the saint has been struck is partially reading, seeming to be that of a Theodore, patrikios and strategos, though missing the last portion of the inscription containing the place name associated with his duties as strategos and/or a family name; however this part of the inscription is illegible, though Nesbitt tenuously claims that it may read Βουκελλαρίων.