John imperial episkeptites (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St John the Baptist offering a blessing with his right hand and holding a rotulus in his left. Traces of epigraphy at left: |. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Ἰ]ω(άννης) [ὁ Πρόδρομος]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines (presumably beginning with a cross). Border of dots.
κε.
..σ.̣,
..⸣ Ε.σ
κ̣ΕΤ,τ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει) τῷ] σῷ [δ]ού(λῳ) [Ἰω(άννῃ)] β(ασιλικῷ) ἐπ[ι]σκεπτ{τ}(ί)τ(ῃ)
Obverse
Bust of St John the Baptist offering a blessing with his right hand and holding a rotulus in his left. Traces of epigraphy at left: |. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Ἰ]ω(άννης) [ὁ Πρόδρομος]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines (presumably beginning with a cross). Border of dots.
κε.
..σ.̣,
..⸣ Ε.σ
κ̣ΕΤ,τ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει) τῷ] σῷ [δ]ού(λῳ) [Ἰω(άννῃ)] β(ασιλικῷ) ἐπ[ι]σκεπτ{τ}(ί)τ(ῃ)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2072 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ βασιλικῷ ἐπισκεπττίτῃ.
Lord, help your servant John, imperial episkeptites.
Commentary
We have restored the owner's name as John on the basis of the room available at the beginning of the third line, where the standard abbreviation Ἰω(άννης) could fit. This reading has been confirmed by the parallel seal listed in this entry.