Moschos (eighth century, first half)
Obverse
Cruciform monogram. In the angles of the cruciform, an inscription. Inscription in the circumference of the seal. Wreath border.
ΓΙΡΣΤ
ΘΣ̅|ΗΜΝ
..ΕΛΟΥΜΕΚ.ΡΙΕΕΞΑΝΘΡΠΟΥΠ......
Ἁγία Τριάς, ὡ Θ(εό)ς ἡμῶν. Ἐξελοῦ με, Κ[ύ]ριε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ
Reverse
Cruciform monogram. In the angles of the cruciform, an inscription. Inscription along the circumference of the seal. Wreath border.
ΔΜΟΣΤΥΧ
ΒΗΘΕΙ
ΔΡΟΣΑΔΙΚΟΥ....
βωήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μόσχῳ. ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου . . .
Obverse
Cruciform monogram. In the angles of the cruciform, an inscription. Inscription in the circumference of the seal. Wreath border.
ΓΙΡΣΤ
ΘΣ̅|ΗΜΝ
..ΕΛΟΥΜΕΚ.ΡΙΕΕΞΑΝΘΡΠΟΥΠ......
Ἁγία Τριάς, ὡ Θ(εό)ς ἡμῶν. Ἐξελοῦ με, Κ[ύ]ριε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ
Reverse
Cruciform monogram. In the angles of the cruciform, an inscription. Inscription along the circumference of the seal. Wreath border.
ΔΜΟΣΤΥΧ
ΒΗΘΕΙ
ΔΡΟΣΑΔΙΚΟΥ....
βωήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μόσχῳ. ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου . . .
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3701 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 3063; Joe Glynias, "Prayerful Iconoclasts. Psalm Seals and Elite Formation in the First Iconoclast Era (726-750)," 88 (no. 11). |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Ἁγία Τριάς, ὡ Θεός ἡμῶν, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μόσχῳ. Ἐξελοῦ με, Κύριε, ἐξ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ, ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκου...
Holy Trinity, our God, help your servant Moschos. Deliver me, Lord, from the evil man, from the unjust man...
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The circular inscriptions contains a quotation from the beginning of Psalm 139 from the Septuagint, beginning on the obverse and continuing on the reverse.