Beser patrikios and strategos (eighth century, first half)
Obverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram presenting the owner's name: Βησρ : Βησήρ. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock with a cross:
Εελμεκεενθρππονηρ
ἐξελοῦ με, Κ(ύρι)ε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ
Reverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram: τρκπι : πατρικίου. In the quarters: στρ|τηγ : στρατηγοῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock with a cross:
πονΔροσΔικδολιρυσεμε
ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου (καὶ) δολίου ῥῦσε με
Obverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram presenting the owner's name: Βησρ : Βησήρ. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock with a cross:
Εελμεκεενθρππονηρ
ἐξελοῦ με, Κ(ύρι)ε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ
Reverse
In the center, a cruciform monogram: τρκπι : πατρικίου. In the quarters: στρ|τηγ : στρατηγοῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock with a cross:
πονΔροσΔικδολιρυσεμε
ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου (καὶ) δολίου ῥῦσε με
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2822 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
| Condition | Cracked along the channel. Blank too small for die. The inscription has been restored with reference to the better preserved parallel cited in this entry. |
| Previous Editions | Joe Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts. Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726-750), 82-83 (no. 2); cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 750. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Βησὴρ πατρικίου στρατηγοῦ. ἐξελοῦ με, Κύριε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ : ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου καὶ δολίου ῥῦσαι με.
(Seal of) Beser patrikios (and) strategos. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man : preserve me from the unjust and deceitful man.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The owner of this seal, Beser (Bashir), is known to have been a staunch supporter of the iconoclast emperors Leo III and Constantine V; he fell in battle at the latter's side during the revolt of Artavasdos in 741. See now J. Glynias, “Prayerful Iconoclasts: Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726–750),” DOP 71 (2017): 65–94.
The circular inscriptions quote Psalm 139: 2 (LXX) = Psalm 140: 2 (KJV) with an insertion from Psalm 42/43:1.