Seal of Theodorosshow empty fields
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    SigiDoc ID: s-Orpbt4

    Artifact

    Type
    Seal
    Matrix
    SigiDoc ID: m-Dli3aP

    Physical description

    Medium
    Original impression.
    Material
    Lead
    Shape
    Round
    Dimensions (mm)
    Diam. 23-27
    Weight (g)
    11.9
    Channel orientation (clock)
    6-12
    Axis (clock)
    Overstrike orientation (clock)
    Execution
    Struck
    Countermark
    Condition
    Chipped at the upper end of the channel. Traces of corrosion.

    Dating

    Date
    Late 7th c. – early 8th c.
    Internal date
    Dating criteria
    Epigraphy
    Alternative date

    History

    Category
    Private
    Issuer
    Theodoros
    Milieu: Private
    Gender: Male
    Place of origin
    Find place
    Find date
    Find circumstances
    Modern location
    Cologne (Germany )
    Institution and repository
    Collection and inventory
    Robert Feind Collection M-164
    Acquisition
    Previous locations
    Modern observations

    Obverse

    Language(s)
    Greek
    Layout of field
    Cruciform invocative monogram (Laurent I).
    Field dimensions (mm)
    Matrix
    Iconography
    Decoration
    Crosses in the quarters of the cruciform monogram. Wreath border.
    Epigraphy

    Reverse

    Language(s)
    Greek
    Layout of field
    Cruciform monogram.
    Field dimensions (mm)
    Matrix
    Iconography
    Decoration
    Star-like decoration in the quarters of the cruciform monogram. Wreath border.
    Epigraphy

    Images

    [caption of the image]
    [caption of the image]

    Edition

    Interpretive

    obv
    1(Θεοτόκε βοήθει)
    rev
    1(Θεοδώρῳ)

    Diplomatic

    obv
    1
    rev
    1ΕΘoΡΩ

    Legend and translation

    Θεοτόκε βοήθει Θεοδώρῳ.

    Mother of God, help Theodoros.

    References

    Edition(s)
    Unpublished
    Parallel(s)
    No parallels known
    Further references
    No further references

    Commentary

    The upper part of the seal is damaged, so we do not know for sure whether the monogram on the reverse is fully preserved. If we assume that the monogram is fully preserved, then it would correspond to the monogram type Zacos 186, with the omicron inscribed in the rho and the name in the dative case. Alternatively, it can be assumed that there is a letter above the pi, either an upsilon (see the monogram type Zacos 179), in which case the name would be in the genitive, or an omicron (see the monogram type Zacos 185). There seems to be no place for an OV ligature. No parallels of this seal are known, but there are many specimens showing on the obverse the same invocative monogram (Laurent, type I) and on the reverse a similar cruciform monogram, with the name Theodoros in the genitive (with an OV ligature) or, more rarely, in the dative (with an omicron drown at the top of the rho).[1] Quite often there is no decoration in the quarters of the name monogram, except for one seal published in the DO Seals, Online Catalogue, which shows four stars ( BZS.1947.2.1720 ).

    Footnotes

    [1] In the genitive: (1) Tatis Collection, no. 2315, published in Cheynet, coll. Tatış, no. 8.58 ; (2) DO BZS.1958.106.5006 (Zacos Collection), published in Zacos, 1, no. 1619 and in DO Seals, Online Catalogue ; (3) DO BZS.1947.2.1720 and (4) DO BZS.1958.106.4997, both published in DO Seals, Online Catalogue . In the dative, with an omicron drown at the top of the rho: DO BZS.1958.106.2340, published in Zacos, 1, no. 1621 and in DO Seals, Online Catalogue . On a seal published by Zografopoulos the case is unclear, as the upper part of the monogram is missing (Karthago, no. 18/6/1, published in Zografopoulos, 2005, no. Θ 12 ).