Theodore imperial spatharokandidatos and tourmarches (tenth century)
Obverse
Bust of St Theodore. Sigla on either side: |θ|εδ| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θε(ό)δω[ρ(ος)]. Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference, beginning with a cross at seven o'clock:
κεοηθ..τσΔ
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ[ει] τῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
θεοδο
ρ̣.πα
θαροκανδ
Ṣτρμαρ
.η..
Θεοδόρῳ β(ασιλικῷ) [σ]παθαροκανδ(ιδάτῳ) (καὶ) τουρμάρ[χ]ῃ ...
Obverse
Bust of St Theodore. Sigla on either side: |θ|εδ| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θε(ό)δω[ρ(ος)]. Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference, beginning with a cross at seven o'clock:
κεοηθ..τσΔ
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθ[ει] τῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
θεοδο
ρ̣.πα
θαροκανδ
Ṣτρμαρ
.η..
Θεοδόρῳ β(ασιλικῷ) [σ]παθαροκανδ(ιδάτῳ) (καὶ) τουρμάρ[χ]ῃ ...
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1239 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20.0 mm |
| Condition | Blank too small for die. Corroded. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεοδόρῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ καὶ τουρμάρχῃ ...
Lord, help your servant Theodore, imperial spatharokandidatos and tourmarches ...
Commentary
It is possible that the owner's name was Theodotos; the poor state of preservation makes it difficult to confirm the name, but Theodore seems the more likely reading in view of the saint depicted on the obverse.
The illegibility of the last line of the reverse precludes identification of the place where the owner performed his duties as tourmarches.