Ioulianos, imperial ostiarios, 8th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 9.22 g, 12 h). Large cruciform monogram ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘH; in quadrants, TⲰ - CⲰ / Δ૪-ΛⲰ ("Mother of God, help your servant"). Rev. +KЄ ΦV[ΛA/T]TЄ IOV[ΛI]/ANⲰ R' OC/[T]IAPIⲰ ("Lord, protect Julian, imperial ostiarios") in four lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse legend starts with the invocation of the Lord to protect the owner of this seal, who bears the Latin name Julian. This phrase is very rarely encountered on seals of this period. The title of ‘ostiarios’, meaning ‘door-keeper, usher’ was a ceremonial dignity for eunuchs at the imperial court