Constantine (imperial?) protospatharios and epi tes megales hetaireias (tenth century)
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of steps placed upon a ball. Fleurons on the side. Remnants of a circular inscription along the circumference. Border of dots.
σδουλ
[Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κ
τντ
πθ
τμεγ̣
ετ
Κω[νσ]ταντ[(ίνῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σ]παθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) [ἐπὶ] τ(ῆς) μεγ[άλ(ης)] ἑτ[αιρ(είας)]
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of steps placed upon a ball. Fleurons on the side. Remnants of a circular inscription along the circumference. Border of dots.
σδουλ
[Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τ]ῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κ
τντ
πθ
τμεγ̣
ετ
Κω[νσ]ταντ[(ίνῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σ]παθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) [ἐπὶ] τ(ῆς) μεγ[άλ(ης)] ἑτ[αιρ(είας)]
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4654 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Condition | Broken; half preserved. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Κωνσταντίνῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς μεγάλης ἑταιρείας.
Lord, help your servant Constantine, imperial protospatharios and epi tes megales hetaireias.
Commentary
Not enough of the inscription survives to confirm the owner's title as imperial protospatharios or simply as protospatharios, but we assume the former on the basis of his office and the calculation of the space available in the reverse inscription.