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Gregory Pakourianos, sebastos and doux (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and balancing his shield against the ground with his left. On either side, epigraphy: Ο||γι|ο|σγε|ρ|γι|οσ : ὁ ἅγιος Γεώργιος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

γρηγορ
ιοσσε
στοσ
οπκ̣ρι
ν.σ

Γρηγόριος σεβαστὸς (καὶ) δοὺξ ὁ Πακουριάν[ο]ς

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and balancing his shield against the ground with his left. On either side, epigraphy: Ο||γι|ο|σγε|ρ|γι|οσ : ὁ ἅγιος Γεώργιος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

γρηγορ
ιοσσε
στοσ
οπκ̣ρι
ν.σ

Γρηγόριος σεβαστὸς (καὶ) δοὺξ ὁ Πακουριάν[ο]ς

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.380
Diameter 26.0 mm; field: 18.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 588.

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

Translation

Γρηγόριος σεβαστὸς καὶ δοὺξ ὁ Πακουριάνος.

Gregory Pakourianos, sebastos and doux.

Commentary

The owner of this seal, Gregory Pakourianos, is well known as the founder of the monastery at Petritzos-Backovo: see Paul Gautier, "Le typikon du sébaste Grégoire Pakourianos," Revue des études byzantines 42 (1984), 5-145.

The inscription appears to be an early instance of fifteen-syllable verse. It is listed as such by Wassilou-Seibt and dated to the years between 1081 and 1086.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
  • Cinq études sur le XIe siècle byzantin (Open in Zotero)