Skip to Content

Beser patrikios and strategos (eighth century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram: ηρσΒ: Βησήρ. A cross in each of the four quarters. Between two linear borders, the remains of a circular inscription:

νθροππο̣

[ἐξελοῦ με, Κ(υρι)ε, ἐξ] ἀνθρόπου πο[νηροῦ]

Reverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram: τρκηπ : πατρικίου. In the quarters: Στρ|τηγ : στρατηγοῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, the remains of a circular inscription:

ΔροσΔικ

[ἀπὸ ἀ]νδρὸς ἀδίκ[ου (καὶ) δολίου ῥυσαι με]

Obverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram: ηρσΒ: Βησήρ. A cross in each of the four quarters. Between two linear borders, the remains of a circular inscription:

νθροππο̣

[ἐξελοῦ με, Κ(υρι)ε, ἐξ] ἀνθρόπου πο[νηροῦ]

Reverse

In the center, a cruciform monogram: τρκηπ : πατρικίου. In the quarters: Στρ|τηγ : στρατηγοῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, the remains of a circular inscription:

ΔροσΔικ

[ἀπὸ ἀ]νδρὸς ἀδίκ[ου (καὶ) δολίου ῥυσαι με]

Accession number BZS.1958.106.1835
Diameter 31.0 mm
Previous Editions

J. Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts: Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726–750)," DOP 71 (2017), no. 2.

Translation

Βησὴρ πατρικίου στρατηγοῦ. ἐξελοῦ με, Κυριε, ἐξ ἀνθρόπου πονηροῦ : ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου καὶ δολίου ῥυσαι με.

(Seal of) Beser patrikios (and) strategos. Deliver me, O Lord from the evil man : preserve me from the unjust and deceitful man.

Commentary

On the owner and his seals bearing quotations from the Psalms, see Glynias's article cited above and BZS.1958.106.2308.