Theodore, imperial spatharokandidatos and kleisouriarches of Seleukeia (ninth/tenth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: ΤΣ|Λ : τῷ σῷ δοὐλῳ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a row of pellets above. Border of dots.
····
ΘΕΡ
. /ΣΠΑΘΑΡ,ΚΑΝ
.ΙˊΚΛΙΣΡ
ΙΑΡΧˊΣΕΛΕ
.Κ,
Θεωδώρῳ [β](ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρ(ο)καν[δ]ιδ(άτῳ) (καὶ) κλισουριάρχ(ῃ) Σελε[υ]κ(είας).
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: ΤΣ|Λ : τῷ σῷ δοὐλῳ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a row of pellets above. Border of dots.
····
ΘΕΡ
. /ΣΠΑΘΑΡ,ΚΑΝ
.ΙˊΚΛΙΣΡ
ΙΑΡΧˊΣΕΛΕ
.Κ,
Θεωδώρῳ [β](ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρ(ο)καν[δ]ιδ(άτῳ) (καὶ) κλισουριάρχ(ῃ) Σελε[υ]κ(είας).
| Accession number | BZS 1955.1.1215 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 6.13; Zacos-Veglery, no. 2464. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεωδώρῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ καὶ κλισουριάρχῃ Σελευκείας.
Mother of God, help your servant Theodore, imperial spatharokandidatos and kleisouriarches of Seleukeia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Following the loss of Cilicia to the Arabs in the eighth century, the region of Seleukeia was reorganized for the defense of the Byzantine borderlands and became an administrative and military kleisoura, first attested in the first half of the ninth century, and which was elevated to a theme during the reign of Romanos I, between 927 and 934.