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(The xenon of) St. Sampson (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent; in each quarter, a six-rayed star. Wreath border.

Reverse

Inscription of three lines. Wreath border.

του
οσιου
σαμ

τοῦ ὁσιου Σαμψώ(ν)

Obverse

Cross potent; in each quarter, a six-rayed star. Wreath border.

Reverse

Inscription of three lines. Wreath border.

του
οσιου
σαμ

τοῦ ὁσιου Σαμψώ(ν)

Accession number BZS.1958.106.185
Diameter 25.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 37.2a.

Translation

τοῦ ὁσιου Σαμψών.

(Seal of the xenon of) St. Sampson.

Commentary

Edited jointly with its counterpart from the same boulloterion: BZS 1958.106.236.

The hospital of St. Sampson was located between St. Eirene's church and Hagia Sophia. T. Miller has argued that Sampson, a physician, was active in the fourth century and it was at this time that he established a modest hospital for the relief of the poor. According to hagiographical sources, he lived in the sixth century. He cured Justinian I of a bladder infection and in gratitude the emperor endowed a splendid hospital in his name. From a reference in the Miracles of St. Artemios (p. 127) it is known that the hospital had physicians who specialized in eye care, as well as surgery. See ODB 3: 1837; and Miller, "Sampson Hospital," 101–116.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • The Miracles of St. Artemios: A Collection of Miracle Stories by an Anonymous Author of Seventh-Century Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
  • Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
  • The Sampson Hospital of Constantinople (Open in Zotero)