Gregory, imperial protospatharios and imperial tutor (ninth century, second half)
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on two steps with decorative dots and a border of dots surrounding. Around the circumference, an inscription. Border of dots.
κε̣̣οηθητσδλ,
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Obverse
Patriarchal cross on two steps with decorative dots and a border of dots surrounding. Around the circumference, an inscription. Border of dots.
κε̣̣οηθητσδλ,
Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
Γριγο
ασπαθ
αιλοτ
φιλοχυ̅δ
.σ̣ποτ
Γριγο(ρίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) βαΐλο τ(οῦ) φιλοχ(ρίστο)υ δ[ε]σπότ(ου)
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4175 |
---|---|
Diameter | 23.0 mm |
Condition | Wedge-shaped chip at eight o'clock. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Γριγορίῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ βαΐλο τοῦ φιλοχρίστου δεσπότου.
Lord, help your servant Gregory, imperial protospatharios and baioulos of the Christ-loving emperor.
Commentary
This is a rare mention of the office of baioulos (βαΐουλος), usually understood in the sense of "tutor" to the imperial children. The Gregory of this seal is likely the same as the man attested as the strategos of southern Italy in 877-879. See V. Laurent, "Ὁ μέγας βαΐουλος. A l'occasion du parakoimomène Basile Lékapène," ᾽Επετηρίς ῾Εταιρείας Βυζαντινῶν Σπουδῶν 23 (1953): 193–205.