Demetrios (?), patrikios, protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, and judge of Seleukeia (eleventh century, first half)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross (X at crossbars) on two steps. Fleurons on both sides rise above the first arm, crowned by crosslets of dots. Within the border of dots, a circular inscription:
ΚΕΟΗΘΕΙΤΣ...
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δούλ(ῳ)]
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
.ΗΜ..
ΠΡ̅⸣ΙΑ̅ΣΠ.
ΘΕΠΙΤ
ΤΡΙΚΛΙΝ
ΚΡΙΤ,ΣΕ
.ΕΥΚΙΑ
[Δ]ημ[ητρίῳ] π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ), (πρωτο)σπ[α]θ(αρίῳ) ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρ(υσο)τριλίν(ου), (καὶ) κριτ(ῇ) Σελευκία(ς).
Obverse
Patriarchal cross (X at crossbars) on two steps. Fleurons on both sides rise above the first arm, crowned by crosslets of dots. Within the border of dots, a circular inscription:
ΚΕΟΗΘΕΙΤΣ...
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δούλ(ῳ)]
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
.ΗΜ..
ΠΡ̅⸣ΙΑ̅ΣΠ.
ΘΕΠΙΤ
ΤΡΙΚΛΙΝ
ΚΡΙΤ,ΣΕ
.ΕΥΚΙΑ
[Δ]ημ[ητρίῳ] π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ), (πρωτο)σπ[α]θ(αρίῳ) ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρ(υσο)τριλίν(ου), (καὶ) κριτ(ῇ) Σελευκία(ς).
| Accession number | BZS 1958.106.3894 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 6.7. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Δημητρίῳ πατρικίῳ, πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτριλίνου, καὶ κριτῇ Σελευκίας.
Lord, help your servant Demetrios, patrikios, protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, and judge of Seleukeia.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The reading of the first name is uncertain, but Demetrios seems most likely. Note that on the second line the engraver has mistakenly crowned the letters ΠΡ with the abbreviation sign, and then added the letter Ι, which was unnecessary for the abbreviation of πατρίκιος.
In addition, the final letter of the fourth line is uncertain. It appears to be a Φ, perhaps an engraver's error, but it is also possible that the damage to the seal has merely deformed a N. The latter seems more likely, and it has been transcribed as such here.