Leo protospatharios and epi tou manglaviou (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
A cross with ornamental balls at each end. Stars in the quarters. Along the circumference, within a border of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
Σ̣Τ̣ΡΕΣΡΑΓΙΣΠΙΣ......Ρ̣̣
στ(αυ)ρέ, σφραγὶς πισ......ρω
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration above. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ
ΠΕΥΛ
Τ,ΛΕΟΝΤ̣
ˋΣΠΘˊΕ
ΠΙΤΜΓ
σκέπε, φύλατ(τε) Λέοντα (πρωτο)σπαθ(άριον) (καὶ) ἐπὶ τοῦ μαγ(λαβίου)
Obverse
A cross with ornamental balls at each end. Stars in the quarters. Along the circumference, within a border of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
Σ̣Τ̣ΡΕΣΡΑΓΙΣΠΙΣ......Ρ̣̣
στ(αυ)ρέ, σφραγὶς πισ......ρω
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration above. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ
ΠΕΥΛ
Τ,ΛΕΟΝΤ̣
ˋΣΠΘˊΕ
ΠΙΤΜΓ
σκέπε, φύλατ(τε) Λέοντα (πρωτο)σπαθ(άριον) (καὶ) ἐπὶ τοῦ μαγ(λαβίου)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.644 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
σταυρέ, σφραγὶς πισ... σκέπε, φύλαττε Λέοντα πρωτοσπαθάριον καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ μαγλαβίου.
O Cross, a seal ... protect, guard Leo protospatharios and epi tou manglaviou.
Commentary
The inscription on the obverse cannot be reconstituted in full; it is not clear whether it was complete in itself or carried over into the inscription on the reverse.