John Doukas, sebastos (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of St George holding a spear and shield. Epigraph on either side: .|γ|ε|ρ|γ|ι|οσ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Γεώργιος. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
..πτηυνριστνσοφναθληφορ,
[σε]πτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρ(ων)
Obverse
Bust of St George holding a spear and shield. Epigraph on either side: .|γ|ε|ρ|γ|ι|οσ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Γεώργιος. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
..πτηυνριστνσοφναθληφορ,
[σε]πτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρ(ων)
Reverse
Bust of St Demetrios holding a spear and shield. Epigraphy: ||η|μ..|..|οσ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημ[ήτρι]ος. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
Σκεπ.........νσεαστονι̅
σκέπ[οιτε Δούκα]ν σεβαστὸν Ἰω(άννην)
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1727 |
---|---|
Diameter | 23.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1922 (citing parallels with previous editions). |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
σεπτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρων σκέποιτε Δούκαν σεβαστὸν Ἰωάννην.
May you, the sacred pair of sage champions, protect the sebastos John Doukas.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The reading of this specimen has been restored with reference to the better preserved parallels and transcription found in Wassiliou-Seibt's catalogue.