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Michael (twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription in three lines with cross above. Border of dots.


μιχα
ηλφε
ριε

Μιχαὴλ φέρει με

Reverse

Inscription in three lines. Border of dots.

σρα
γιδα
λογσ

σφραγίδα λόγους

Obverse

Inscription in three lines with cross above. Border of dots.


μιχα
ηλφε
ριε

Μιχαὴλ φέρει με

Reverse

Inscription in three lines. Border of dots.

σρα
γιδα
λογσ

σφραγίδα λόγους

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1524
Diameter 17.0 mm; field: 9.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Bulles métriques, no. 652.
Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus, no. 1450.

Translation

Μιχαὴλ φέρει με σφραγίδα [εἰς] λόγους.

Michael uses me as the seal for his letters.

Commentary

The inscription on this seal poses problems. It appears to be an attempt at a metrical inscription but falls a syllable short (the first hemistich has only six syllables). The reading of the last word, λόγους, is certain but does not work grammatically, although it keeps the second hemistich to the required five syllables -- if indeed the owner's intent was to inscribe a metrical verse. The previous editors suggested the emendations λὀγοις or λὀγων which are possible, but we should perhaps simply understand εἰς before λόγους.

Bibliography

  • Les bulles métriques dans la sigillographie byzantine (Open in Zotero)
  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)