Basil patrikios, imperial protospatharios, and parakoimomenos (tenth century)
Obverse
In center, a roundel with foliage, surrounded by a circle of eight other roundels with foliage. Circular inscription beginning with a cross between double border of dots.
ΚΥΡΙΕΟΗΘΕΙ.ΣΟΥΛ
Κύριε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of pellets between double border of dots.
ΑΣΙΛ
ΕΙΠΑΤΡΙ
ΚΑΣΠΑΘ
ΠΑΡΑΚΟΙ
ΜΜΕΝ
Βασιλείῳ πατρικ(ίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) παρακοιμωμένῳ
Obverse
In center, a roundel with foliage, surrounded by a circle of eight other roundels with foliage. Circular inscription beginning with a cross between double border of dots.
ΚΥΡΙΕΟΗΘΕΙ.ΣΟΥΛ
Κύριε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of pellets between double border of dots.
ΑΣΙΛ
ΕΙΠΑΤΡΙ
ΚΑΣΠΑΘ
ΠΑΡΑΚΟΙ
ΜΜΕΝ
Βασιλείῳ πατρικ(ίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) παρακοιμωμένῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4473 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0 mm |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Βασιλείῳ πατρικίῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ παρακοιμωμένῳ.
Lord, help your servant Basil patrikios, imperial protospatharios, and parakoimomenos.
Commentary
Due to the combination of name, title, and office, the owner of this seal is most likely Basil Lakapenos. The design is quite similar to one that presents Basil as “endoxotatos proedros of the Senate and parakoimomenos of the emperor” and dated by Oikonomides to 963–976 (BZS.1947.2.828).