Athanasios (?) imperial spatharios (eighth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (indeterminate type); preserved in the lower quarters: Δ–Λ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε (or Κύριε) βοήθει [τῷ σῷ] δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.
.ΘΑ̣..
Σ̣ΙΒΑ̣Σ̣Ι
ΛΙΚ̣ΩΣΠ̣Α̣
Θ̣̣Ρ̣Ι̣
[Ἀ]θα[να]σίῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (indeterminate type); preserved in the lower quarters: Δ–Λ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε (or Κύριε) βοήθει [τῷ σῷ] δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.
.ΘΑ̣..
Σ̣ΙΒΑ̣Σ̣Ι
ΛΙΚ̣ΩΣΠ̣Α̣
Θ̣̣Ρ̣Ι̣
[Ἀ]θα[να]σίῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.710 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm |
| Condition | Upper-left corner (from obverse perspective) has chipped off; mild chipping in lower-right corner. Double-struck, some effacement on reverse side. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἀθανασίῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ.
Mother of God, help your servant Athanasios imperial spatharios.
Commentary
Other readings or reconstructions of the name may be possible. An imperial sparthios named Athanasios from the eighth century is not attested among other seals in the Dumbarton Oaks collection or in the PmbZ.