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Demetrios eparch (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram reading Θεοτόκε βοήθει. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

κσ..τισμοσμουσοτηρμ̣.

Κ(ύριο)ς [φωτ]ισμός μου καὶ σοτήρ μ[ου]

Reverse

In the center, a block monogram. Letters: δηιμπρτΧ : Δημητρίου ἐπάρχου. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

κσυπερασπιστηστησζ...μ

Κ(ύριο)ς ὑπερασπιστὴς τῆς ζ[ωῆς] μου

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram reading Θεοτόκε βοήθει. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

κσ..τισμοσμουσοτηρμ̣.

Κ(ύριο)ς [φωτ]ισμός μου καὶ σοτήρ μ[ου]

Reverse

In the center, a block monogram. Letters: δηιμπρτΧ : Δημητρίου ἐπάρχου. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

κσυπερασπιστηστησζ...μ

Κ(ύριο)ς ὑπερασπιστὴς τῆς ζ[ωῆς] μου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.3700
Diameter 28.0 mm
Previous Editions

J. Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts: Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726–750)," DOP 71 (2017), no. 4.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει. Δημητρίου ἐπάρχου. Κύριος φωτισμός μου καὶ σοτήρ μου : Κύριος ὑπερασπιστὴς τῆς ζωῆς μου.

Mother of God, give Thy aid. (Seal of) Demetrios, eparch. The Lord is my light and my saviour; the Lord is my life's protector.

Commentary

In his edition Glynias points out that the monogram on the reverse could be resolved as Μιχαὴλ ἐπάρχου or even as Θεοπέμπτου χαρτουλαρίου. We have followed previous editors in the reading of the name. The circular inscriptions repeat passages from Psalm 26: 1.