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(The xenon of) St. Sampson (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent; in each quarter, a six-rayed star. Wreath border.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.

του
οσιου
σαμ
Ν

τοῦ ὁσίου Σαμψών

Obverse

Cross potent; in each quarter, a six-rayed star. Wreath border.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.

του
οσιου
σαμ
Ν

τοῦ ὁσίου Σαμψών

Accession number BZS.1947.2.29
Diameter 29.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 37.2e.

Translation

τοῦ ὁσίου Σαμψών.

(Seal of the xenon of) St. Sampson.

Commentary

The hospital of St. Sampson was located between St. Eirene's church and Hagia Sophia. T. Miller has argued that Sampson, a physician, was active in the fourth century and it was at this time that he established a modest hospital for the relief of the poor. According to hagiographical sources, he lived in the sixth century. He cured Justinian I of a bladder infection and in gratitude the emperor endowed a splendid hospital in his name. From a reference in the Miracles of St. Artemios (p. 127) it is known that the hospital had physicians who specialized in eye care, as well as surgery. See ODB 3: 1837; and Miller, "Sampson Hospital," 101–116.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • The Miracles of St. Artemios: A Collection of Miracle Stories by an Anonymous Author of Seventh-Century Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
  • Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
  • The Sampson Hospital of Constantinople (Open in Zotero)