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Basil Xeros, vestarches (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Two standing saints, St. Mark on the right holding the Gospel, St. Demetrios on the left, holding the martyr's cross. Traces of an inscription on the left: κ|ο|σ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Μάρ]κος. On the right: |η|Μ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Δημ[ήτριο(ς)]. Border of dots.

Reverse

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

πΟ̣
λνπΡ̣
τεμρυρ̣
.λεοςηρον
σκεποιτε
σιλειονε
στρχ

ἀπο[στό]λων πρ[ώτισ]τε, μαρτύρω[ν κ]λέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχην

Obverse

Two standing saints, St. Mark on the right holding the Gospel, St. Demetrios on the left, holding the martyr's cross. Traces of an inscription on the left: κ|ο|σ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Μάρ]κος. On the right: |η|Μ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Δημ[ήτριο(ς)]. Border of dots.

Reverse

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

πΟ̣
λνπΡ̣
τεμρυρ̣
.λεοςηρον
σκεποιτε
σιλειονε
στρχ

ἀπο[στό]λων πρ[ώτισ]τε, μαρτύρω[ν κ]λέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχην

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.642
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 125. See also PBW : Basileios 20193.

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

Translation

ἀποστόλων πρώτιστε, μαρτύρων κλέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχην.

Foremost of the apostles, glory of the martyrs, may you protect the vestarches Basil Xeros.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)