Michael protospatharios and ek prosopou of Cappadocia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Indistinct half-length depiction of a saint (probably St. Michael). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
+κε..
μηχα..
.σπαθ
.κεεκ..
οσοπκ..
δοκ
Κ(ύρι)ε [β(οή)θ(ει)] Μηχα[ὴλ (πρωτο)]σπαθ[(α)ρ(ίῳ)] κὲ ἐκ [πρ]οσόπ(ου) Κ[απ(πα)]δοκ(ίας)
Obverse
Indistinct half-length depiction of a saint (probably St. Michael). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
+κε..
μηχα..
.σπαθ
.κεεκ..
οσοπκ..
δοκ
Κ(ύρι)ε [β(οή)θ(ει)] Μηχα[ὴλ (πρωτο)]σπαθ[(α)ρ(ίῳ)] κὲ ἐκ [πρ]οσόπ(ου) Κ[απ(πα)]δοκ(ίας)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2459 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 4, no. 43.1. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Μηχαὴλ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ κὲ ἐκ προσόπου Καππαδοκίας.
Lord, help your servant Michael, protospatharios and ek prosopou of Cappadocia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 4: The East (Open in Zotero)
- De Administrando Imperio (Open in Zotero)
- Ermitažnye pečati Filareta Vrahamija (Open in Zotero)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- Kappadokien (Kappadokia, Charsianon, Sebasteia und Lykandos) (Open in Zotero)
- Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Ἐρευνες πάνω στην γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Μικράς Ασίας (Open in Zotero)
- Sceaux byzantins inédits (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The outline of a globus cruciger held in the left hand leads to the identification of the figure on the obverse as St. Michael.
Another Michael ek prosopou of Cappadocia is attested on a seal, which is at least one century earlier than the present specimen (published by G. Schlumberger in RN ser. 4, vol. 5, 1905, 306, no. 215).