Helen Kourkouise (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin, nimbate, holding Christ in her left arm. No epigraphy or border visible.
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin, nimbate, holding Christ in her left arm. No epigraphy or border visible.
Reverse
Inscription in five lines (top line is off the flan). Border of dots.
. . .
ΤΗΣΗΔ,.
ΛΕΝΗΕΣ.
ΗΑΤ,ΚΟΥ
ΚΗΣΗ
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῇ σῇ δούλῃ Ἑλένῃ βεστηα (?) τῇ Κουρκουήσῃ
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4552 |
---|---|
Diameter | 22.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῇ σῇ δούλῃ Ἑλένῃ βεστηα (?) τῇ Κουρκουήσῃ.
Theotokos, help your servant Helen Kourkouise, vestia (?).
Commentary
It is unclear what title she holds--perhaps it is vestia, a female version of vestes, although if what appears to be an article before the family name is actually the end of the title, the reading would be vestitatisa, a female version of vestites