Skip to Content

Elpidios (sixth/seventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Standing figure of St. Sophia, facing, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, orans with hands uplifted in supplication. In vertical columns to left and right, inscription: Η|Α|ΓΙ|ΑΣ|Ο|ΦΙ|Α: ἡ ἅγια Σοφία. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Wreath border.

δ -  - ι - λ - ο - π - υ

Ἐλπιδίου

Obverse

Standing figure of St. Sophia, facing, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, orans with hands uplifted in supplication. In vertical columns to left and right, inscription: Η|Α|ΓΙ|ΑΣ|Ο|ΦΙ|Α: ἡ ἅγια Σοφία. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Wreath border.

δ -  - ι - λ - ο - π - υ

Ἐλπιδίου

Accession number BZS.1955.1.208
Diameter 25.0 mm
Previous Editions

Zacos-Veglery, no. 1276a.

Translation

Ἐλπιδίου.

(Seal of) Elpidios.

Commentary

Zacos mentions that Laurent (Corpus V/1, no. 49) considers the image of St. Sophia as an indicator that the seal's owner served in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople; it is likely that this Elpidios was some sort of Church official, though he gives no titles or offices.

Bibliography