Theodore Eirenikos hypatos ton philosophon and priest (thirteenth century)
Obverse
The Mother of God enthroned holding the Child in her lap. Above, on either side, the sigla: Θ. Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)[ῦ]. On the left, St. Theodore Tiron, nimbed and wearing a cloak, holds his hands in supplication. Inscription: Ο|Τ|.||Ν. Ὁ τ[ί]ρων. Remains of a figure standing to the right, presumably St. Theodore Stratelates. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above and decorations below. Border of dots.
ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΝ
ΥΠΤΟΣΦΡΣ
ΡΦΕΙΕΙΡΗΝΙ
ΝΘΕΟΡΟΝ
ΤΟ.ΛΕΥΙΤΗΝ
.
Φιλοσόφων ὑπατὸν ἡ σφραγὶς [γ]ράφει: Εἰρηνι[κὸ]ν Θεόδωρον τὸ[ν] λευίτην
Obverse
The Mother of God enthroned holding the Child in her lap. Above, on either side, the sigla: Θ. Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)[ῦ]. On the left, St. Theodore Tiron, nimbed and wearing a cloak, holds his hands in supplication. Inscription: Ο|Τ|.||Ν. Ὁ τ[ί]ρων. Remains of a figure standing to the right, presumably St. Theodore Stratelates. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above and decorations below. Border of dots.
ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΝ
ΥΠΤΟΣΦΡΣ
ΡΦΕΙΕΙΡΗΝΙ
ΝΘΕΟΡΟΝ
ΤΟ.ΛΕΥΙΤΗΝ
.
Φιλοσόφων ὑπατὸν ἡ σφραγὶς [γ]ράφει: Εἰρηνι[κὸ]ν Θεόδωρον τὸ[ν] λευίτην
| Accession number | BZS 1955.1.4065 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 40.0 mm; field: 35.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus V/2, no. 1180. |
Translation
Φιλοσόφων ὑπατὸν ἡ σφραγὶς γράφει: Εἰρηνικὸν Θεόδωρον τὸν λευίτην.
Inscribed on the seal is the name of the consul of philosophers: it is the priest Theodore Eirenikos.
Commentary
Laurent identified the owner of this seal as the Patriarch Theodore Eirenikos who held the office at Nicaea between 1214 and 1216. He appears to have become a priest ("Levite") and hypatos ("consul") of the philosophers sometime between 1206 and 1214.
The inscription consists of two twelve syllable verses separated by a colon; however, the second verse does not scan as a proper dodecasyllable. Nevertheless, Theodore has drawn from three venerable traditions in blending Roman ("consul"), classical Greek ("philosophers"), and Old Testament ("Levite") elements on his seal.