Basil protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, "man of the philosopher" (eleventh century)
Obverse
St Basil standing, gesturing to his right. Details indistinct. Traces of vertical inscriptions on either side: Ο̣|Α̣|....|Α|ΣΗ|Λ|Ε̣Ι̣|..: ὁ ἅ[γιος] Βασήλει[ος]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΑΣΙΛ̣,
ΑΣΠΑΘ,ΕΠ,
Τ,Γ̅ΚΛˊΤ
Τ̣Φ̣ΙΛ
ΣΟΦΟΥ
Βασιλ(είῳ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπ(ὶ) τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)(τρι)κλ(ίνου) τῷ τοῦ Φιλωσόφου
Obverse
St Basil standing, gesturing to his right. Details indistinct. Traces of vertical inscriptions on either side: Ο̣|Α̣|....|Α|ΣΗ|Λ|Ε̣Ι̣|..: ὁ ἅ[γιος] Βασήλει[ος]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΑΣΙΛ̣,
ΑΣΠΑΘ,ΕΠ,
Τ,Γ̅ΚΛˊΤ
Τ̣Φ̣ΙΛ
ΣΟΦΟΥ
Βασιλ(είῳ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπ(ὶ) τ(οῦ) Χρ(υσο)(τρι)κλ(ίνου) τῷ τοῦ Φιλωσόφου
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4474 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm |
Translation
Βασιλείῳ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου τῷ τοῦ Φιλωσόφου.
Basil protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, "man of the philosopher."
Commentary
The reading of the last portion of the inscription, τῷ τοῦ φιλωσόφου, is certain, but it is not clear how this should be interpreted. It may mean that the owner is styling himself as the devoté of St Basil, here called a philosopher in the sense of a theologian.