Michael Marachas (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross above. Border of dots
γρφ.
μν..λ̣μ̣
ρχ̣κ̣ι.
..κτε.
γραφῶ[ν] Μαν[ουὴ]λ Μ[α]ραχᾶ καὶ [πρα]κτέων
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
.τιχ
.φργ̣ισου̣
.υπο̣σκο̣
ισμτ̣
[σ]τίχω[ν σ]φραγίς, οὐ [τ]ύπος εἰκο[ν]ισμάτ(ων)
Obverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross above. Border of dots
γρφ.
μν..λ̣μ̣
ρχ̣κ̣ι.
..κτε.
γραφῶ[ν] Μαν[ουὴ]λ Μ[α]ραχᾶ καὶ [πρα]κτέων
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
.τιχ
.φργ̣ισου̣
.υπο̣σκο̣
ισμτ̣
[σ]τίχω[ν σ]φραγίς, οὐ [τ]ύπος εἰκο[ν]ισμάτ(ων)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1148 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 541. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
γραφῶν Μανουὴλ Μαραχᾶ καὶ πρακτέων στίχων σφραγίς, οὐ τύπος εἰκονισμάτων.
A seal with verses, not an engraved image, secures the correspondence and acts of Michael Marachas.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The metrical inscription is more easily paraphrased than translated; it means that the owner has used a seal inscribed with verses, rather than one engraved with the image of a holy person, to secure his documents.
Note the seal of a Michael Marachas (the reading of the family name is not certain), protospatharios and epi tou Chrysotriklinou, perhaps an earlier kinsman of the owner of the present seal: PBW : Michael 20160.