Skip to Content

Basil, imperial cleric of the . . . (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin orans. Inscription: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεο. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with decoration above. Border of dots.

θκ̅ε,Θ,
ΑΣΙΛΕΙ,
ΑΣΙΛˋΚΛΙ
ΡΙΚΟΤΟΝ.
Τ..

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Βασιλεί βασιλικῷ κληρικὸ τῶν .ουτω..

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin orans. Inscription: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεο. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with decoration above. Border of dots.

θκ̅ε,Θ,
ΑΣΙΛΕΙ,
ΑΣΙΛˋΚΛΙ
ΡΙΚΟΤΟΝ.
Τ..

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Βασιλεί βασιλικῷ κληρικὸ τῶν .ουτω..

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2956
Diameter 21.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Βασιλείῳ βασιλικῳ κληρικὸ τῶν .ουτω..

Theotokos, help Basil, imperial cleric of the . . . (?)

Commentary

The last word on this seal appears to be the name of a monastery or other such institution; however, the crack in the seal makes this part of the inscription illegible. It is also possible that this is a family name (beginning with Ν after the ΤΩ), but with this seal being that of a cleric, a religious institution is more likely.