Isoes imperial spatharios (eighth/ninth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: .̣–Σ|–Λ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of three lines, followed by a cross. Wreath border.
Ι.
ΒΣΠΘ̣
ΡΙ
Ἰσώ[ῃ] β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρίῳ
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: .̣–Σ|–Λ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of three lines, followed by a cross. Wreath border.
Ι.
ΒΣΠΘ̣
ΡΙ
Ἰσώ[ῃ] β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρίῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2803 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰσώῃ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ.
Theotokos, help your servant Isoes, imperial spatharios.
Commentary
Another seal belonging to Isoes imperial mandator (BZS.1958.106.5600) is very similar in style and date to the present specimen, and probably represents an earlier stage in this individual’s career.
Other, earlier seals with the name Isoes include one of a patrikios and quaestor (Laurent, Corpus 2: no. 1096); an imperial kandidatos and komes tes kortes (M-12393 = Sokolova, VV 52 [1991]: 212, no. 49); and several belonging to a patrikios and komes of the Opsikion (e.g., BZS.1958.106.807).