Priests and ekklesiekdikoi (of Hagia Sophia) (eleventh century)
Obverse
The Mother of God (left) and Justinian (right) holding between them a model of the church of Saint Sophia. Inscription in the center: Η|Α|Γ|Ι|Α|Σ|Ο|Φ|Ι|Α : Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία. Circular inscription, beginning at 9 o'clock.
ΥΠΕΡΑΓΙΑΘΕΟΤΟΚΕΟΗ...
Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκε βοή[θει]
Reverse
Inscription of six lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.
ΤΟΙΣΘΕ
ΟΣΕΕΣΤΑ
ΤΟΙΣΠΡΕΣ
.ΥΤΕΡΟΙΣ
.ΑΙΕΚΚ..
ΣΕΚ..
τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσ[β]υτέροις [κ]αὶ ἐκκ[λη]σεκδ[ίκ(οις)]
Obverse
The Mother of God (left) and Justinian (right) holding between them a model of the church of Saint Sophia. Inscription in the center: Η|Α|Γ|Ι|Α|Σ|Ο|Φ|Ι|Α : Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία. Circular inscription, beginning at 9 o'clock.
ΥΠΕΡΑΓΙΑΘΕΟΤΟΚΕΟΗ...
Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκε βοή[θει]
Reverse
Inscription of six lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.
ΤΟΙΣΘΕ
ΟΣΕΕΣΤΑ
ΤΟΙΣΠΡΕΣ
.ΥΤΕΡΟΙΣ
.ΑΙΕΚΚ..
ΣΕΚ..
τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσ[β]υτέροις [κ]αὶ ἐκκ[λη]σεκδ[ίκ(οις)]
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.2173 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 51.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 42.12; Laurent, Corpus 5.1: no. 113. Parallel specimen in Zacos, Seals II, no. 65. |
Translation
Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκε βοήθει τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσβυτέροις καὶ ἐκκλησεκδίκοις.
Most holy Mother of God, help the most reverent priests and judges of Hagia Sophia.
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)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
- The Virgin and Justinian on Seals of the Ekklesiekdikoi of Hagia Sophia (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
For a discussion of the ekklesiekdikoi, who formed a tribunal, operating out of Saint Sophia, and the iconography associated with their seals, see the brief introduction in DO Seals 5, pp. 88–89, as well as J. Cotsonis, "The Virgin and Justinian on Seals of the Ekklesiekdikoi of Hagia Sophia."
Note that the circular inscription at right invades the field of Justinian's halo, suggesting that the decoration was carved first and then the inscription was added. On this specimen the figure of Justinian is unidentified, in contrast with other seals belonging to the priests and ekklesiekdikoi.