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Peter vestarches (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Details indistinct. Traces of epigraphy on either side: |γε|.γ|ο|σ :  ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώ[ρ]γ(ι)ος. 

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration below. Border of dots.

εσ
μεολο
γουσε
στρχ
πετρ
  

δεσμέβο λόγους βεστάρχου Πέτρου

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Details indistinct. Traces of epigraphy on either side: |γε|.γ|ο|σ :  ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώ[ρ]γ(ι)ος. 

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration below. Border of dots.

εσ
μεολο
γουσε
στρχ
πετρ
  

δεσμέβο λόγους βεστάρχου Πέτρου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2223
Diameter 19.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 609.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

δεσμεύω λόγους βεστάρχου Πέτρου.

I fasten shut the correspondence of Peter the vestarch.

Commentary

Note the homophonic spelling of the verb δεσμεύω as δεσμέβο. We have restored the correct form in the final reading.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)