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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.

κε̣̣οηθητσδλ,

 Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

Γριγο
ασπαθ
αιλοτ
φιλοχυ̅δ
.σ̣ποτ

Γριγο(ρίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) βαΐλο τ(οῦ) φιλοχ(ρίστο)υ δ[ε]σπότ(ου)

Obverse

Patriarchal cross on two steps with decorative dots and a border of dots surrounding. Around the circumference, an inscription. Border of dots.

κε̣̣οηθητσδλ,

 Κ(ύρι)ε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

Γριγο
ασπαθ
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.