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Eudokia (1067 or 1071)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God standing, wearing a chiton and maphorion with a medallion of Christ on her chest. Sigla at left and right, Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο). Border of dots.

Reverse

The empress Eudokia standing, wearing a crown with two triangular projections and double pendilia. She wears a divitision with wide, hanging sleeves, and a loros. She holds a long cross scepter in her right hand and holds her left. before her chest. Circular inscription, beginning at 7 o’clock. Border of dots.

..ΥΔΟ...ΕΥΣΕΕΣΤΑΤΗΑΥΓΣΤΑ

[Ε]ὐδο[κία] εὐσεβεστάτη αὐγούστα.

Obverse

The Mother of God standing, wearing a chiton and maphorion with a medallion of Christ on her chest. Sigla at left and right, Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο). Border of dots.

Reverse

The empress Eudokia standing, wearing a crown with two triangular projections and double pendilia. She wears a divitision with wide, hanging sleeves, and a loros. She holds a long cross scepter in her right hand and holds her left. before her chest. Circular inscription, beginning at 7 o’clock. Border of dots.

..ΥΔΟ...ΕΥΣΕΕΣΤΑΤΗΑΥΓΣΤΑ

[Ε]ὐδο[κία] εὐσεβεστάτη αὐγούστα.

Accession number BZS.1958.106.603 (formerly DO 58.106.603)
Diameter 34.0 mm; field: 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 80.1; Zacos-Veglery no. 89.

Translation

Εὐδοκία εὐσεβεστάτη αὐγούστα.

Eudokia, most pious augusta.

Commentary

This seal should probably be assigned to either her first regency (May–December 1067) or her second (August–October 1071). The Mother of God is of the Episkepsis ("shelter") type, an art historical term for the Mother of God shown orans with Christ before her.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)