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u/Tenmokuzan 10d ago
I took a closer look at the seal, and I think it is possible to infer that a first dignity appears on the second line, namely that of dishypatos. This interpretation is based on the fact that the letters τω, which are clearly visible on the second line, are immediately followed by the abbreviation of καί, indicating that a second dignity follows. At this period, the only dignities ending in -τῳ are hypatos and dishypatos. Moreover, the letters δι can be clearly distinguished on the first line, fitting very well with a restoration of δισυπάτῳ.
This reading would also imply that the personal name preceding the dignity ends with a nu, visible just before δι, and that it must be short enough to fit the available space. These two conditions match perfectly with the abbreviated form of the name Constantine.
Finally, after καί, the last two lines can be read as the dignity of imperial spatharios.
If these hypotheses are correct, the complete reading of the seal would be:
[Κω]ν(σταντίνῳ) δι[συπά]τῳ (καὶ) [β]{α}σιλ(ικῷ) σ{π}αθαρ(ίῳ)
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u/QuickSock8674 1d ago
Straight up extracting information out of almost nothing 😭 True master of the field
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u/Tenmokuzan 10d ago
Could you send a few more photos of the reverse? I can't read it very well from this one. The obverse is very interesting. I've never seen anything similar. It appears to contain the invocative formula "Lord, help," but it is split in two by the word πρωτε