Theodosios imperial spatharios (ninth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: Τ–Σ|..–Λ. Indeterminate border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δού]λῳ
Reverse
Inscription of three lines beginning with a cross, followed by a decoration. Indeterminate border.
ΘΕΟ
Ο̣ΣΙΒ⸉ΣΠ̣
ΘΡ̣.̣
Θεοδοσίῳ β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρ[ί]ῳ
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: Τ–Σ|..–Λ. Indeterminate border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δού]λῳ
Reverse
Inscription of three lines beginning with a cross, followed by a decoration. Indeterminate border.
ΘΕΟ
Ο̣ΣΙΒ⸉ΣΠ̣
ΘΡ̣.̣
Θεοδοσίῳ β(ασιλικῷ) σπαθαρ[ί]ῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2831 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Θεοδοσίῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ.
Theotokos, help your servant Theodosios imperial spatharios.
Commentary
Two other seals seem to be related to this specimen. The first (BZS.1958.106.3175) appears to be a parallel. The second (BZS.1958.106.4267), although it differs slightly and seems to come from a different boulloterion, has an identical arrangement of letters and decoration, and so belongs to the same individual.