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Nikephoros magistros (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God orans, with the medallion before her. Sigla on either side: ΜΡ̅θυ̅:  Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration above. Border of dots.

  
εσπ,
νασκεπ,
νικιφορ,
μα
ρ,

Δέσπ(οι)να, σκέπ(οις) Νικιφόρ(ῳ) μαγίστρ(ῳ)

Obverse

The Mother of God orans, with the medallion before her. Sigla on either side: ΜΡ̅θυ̅:  Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. A decoration above. Border of dots.

  
εσπ,
νασκεπ,
νικιφορ,
μα
ρ,

Δέσπ(οι)να, σκέπ(οις) Νικιφόρ(ῳ) μαγίστρ(ῳ)

Accession number BZS.1958.106.3126
Diameter 19.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 615.

Translation

Δέσποινα, σκέποις Νικιφόρῳ μαγίστρῳ.

Sovereign lady, may you protect the magistros Nikephoros.

Commentary

Both the owner's name and title are abbreviated in the inscription. Wassiliou-Seibt chose to read them in the dative case, which keeps the accent of the last word on the second last syllable, as required by the metre, instead of in the accusative case, as would be expected of the objects of the verb σκέποις.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)