★ Quotations from scripture ★

Sisinnios, patrikios and strategos, first half of 8th century (before 744). Seal (Lead, 30 mm, 25.10 g, 12 h). Circular legend ЄΞЄΛ૪ MЄ KЄ ЄΞ ANΘPOΠ[૪] ΠO NH P૪; inside pearled circle, cruciform monogram of ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘH; within quadrants, TⲰ / CⲰ / Δ૪/ΛⲰ ("Deliver me, Lord, from the evil man - Mother of God, help"). Rev. Circular legend AΠO ANΔPOC AΔIK૪ S ΔOΛI૪ PVCEI MЄ; inside pearled circle, CICI/NNIⲰ Π/ATPIKIⲰ / S CTPAT/HΓⲰ in five lines ("Preserve me from the unjust and deceitful man - Sisinnios, patrikios and strategos"). Zacos/Veglery 3180. J. Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts", 14. A well-struck and rare early Byzantine seal with Psalm quotations. Minor flatness. Nearly extremely fine.

The circular legends are quotations from scripture, Psalms 139, 2 and 42, 1. This seal likely belongs to Sisinnios, the first strategos of Thrakesion, who was a relative of Leo III. He was executed in 744 for plotting against the emperor in the aftermath of the revolt of Artavasdus.