Anonymous (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of three lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ο
ιοσ
οναρ
ὁ βίος ὄναρ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
α
ρετη
πλτ
οσ
ἀρετὴ πλοῦτος
Obverse
Inscription of three lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ο
ιοσ
οναρ
ὁ βίος ὄναρ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
α
ρετη
πλτ
οσ
ἀρετὴ πλοῦτος
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2713 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.0 mm; field: 15.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1551. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
ὁ βίος ὄναρ ἀρετὴ πλοῦτος.
Life is a dream, virtue is wealth.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
This specimen has no channel and must have served as a token or tessera, lending credence to Wassiliou-Seibt's suggestion that the owner was a monk or cleric involved in distributing alms or charity, in keeping with the moralizing inscription.
Note that the inscription seems metrical, consisting of two five-syllable hemistichs.