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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

Reverse

Cruciform monogram with inscription in the four angles. Wreath border.

ΜΡΚ|ΕΛΛΙ

ΓΕΗΘΜΝΟΡΥΩ

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.

ΜΡΚ|ΕΛΛΙ

ΓΕΗΘΜΝΟΡΥΩ

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4533
Diameter 35.0 mm
Previous Editions

Zacos-Veglery, no. 1340.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Μαρκελλίᾳ . . .

Theotokos, help Markellia . . .

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.

Bibliography