Markellia (seventh/eighth century)
Obverse
Virgin Hodegetria, nimbate, standing, facing, holding infant Christ on left arm. Christ has a nimbus and himation. Invocative monograms, Θεοτόκε and βοήθει. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει
Obverse
Virgin Hodegetria, nimbate, standing, facing, holding infant Christ on left arm. Christ has a nimbus and himation. Invocative monograms, Θεοτόκε and βοήθει. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει
Reverse
Cruciform monogram with inscription in the four angles. Wreath border.
ΜΡΚ|ΕΛΛΙ
ΓΕΗΘΜΝΟΡΥΩ
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4533 |
---|---|
Diameter | 35.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 1340. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Μαρκελλίᾳ . . .
Theotokos, help Markellia . . .
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Zacos suggests the reading of the reverse monogram, "ἠγουμένῃ μονῆς Θεοδώρου, ("hegoumena of the monastery of Theodore"); quite a complex monogram, indeed. This would be a rare but not unique case of a female hegoumena.