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Michael (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross between dots above. Border of dots.


σΦραγ,
ραχεια
μιχαη.
τυπου
μ.νη

σφραγ(ὶς) βραχεῖα Μιχαὴ[λ] τυπουμ[έ]νη

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
γραφα,
εαιοι
.αιρεου
σα,γησυ
λην

γραφὰ(ς) βεβαιοῖ καὶ ῥέουσα(ν) γῆς ὕλην

Obverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross between dots above. Border of dots.


σΦραγ,
ραχεια
μιχαη.
τυπου
μ.νη

σφραγ(ὶς) βραχεῖα Μιχαὴ[λ] τυπουμ[έ]νη

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
γραφα,
εαιοι
.αιρεου
σα,γησυ
λην

γραφὰ(ς) βεβαιοῖ καὶ ῥέουσα(ν) γῆς ὕλην

Accession number BZS.1958.106.1473
Diameter 18.0 mm; field: 14.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Bulles métriques, no. 384 (misread); cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2370.

Translation

σφραγὶς βραχεῖα Μιχαὴλ τυπουμένη γραφὰς βεβαιοῖ καὶ ῥέουσαν γῆς ὕλην.

The small seal struck by Michael confirms his writings and the transience of the material world.

Commentary

An unusual and artfully crafted metrical inscription which dwells on the brevity or impermanence of this life. The first words (σφραγὶς βραχεῖα) can be taken to mean a small seal (as this is) and a concise inscription; the seal itself claims to confirm its owner's writings and the transience of the material world (ῥέουσαν γῆς ὕλην).

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
  • Les bulles métriques dans la sigillographie byzantine (Open in Zotero)