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Maria nun, the former vestarchissa (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin with sigla: ̅θυ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Inscription in upper half-circle inside border of dots.

θιτησηδουλ

Θεοτόκε βοήθι τῇ σῇ δούλ

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with decoration above. Border of dots.

·
ΜΑΡΙ

ΑΑΧΗΓ.
ΓΟΝυΑΕ
ΑΡΧΗ
Σ

Μαρία μοναχ ἡ γεγονύα βεστάρχησσα

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin with sigla: ̅θυ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Inscription in upper half-circle inside border of dots.

θιτησηδουλ

Θεοτόκε βοήθι τῇ σῇ δούλ

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with decoration above. Border of dots.

·
ΜΑΡΙ

ΑΑΧΗΓ.
ΓΟΝυΑΕ
ΑΡΧΗ
Σ

Μαρία μοναχ ἡ γεγονύα βεστάρχησσα

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2948
Diameter 32.0 mm; field: 26.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Corpus V/2, no. 1474

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθι τῇ σῇ δούλῃ. Μαρία μοναχὴ ἡ γεγονύα βεστάρχησσα.

Theotokos, help your servant. The nun Maria, the former vestarchissa.

Bibliography