Leo protoproedros and koiaistor (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
The Virgin seated on a high throne, with the medallion of Christ in front of her. Sigla preserved at left: ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ [Θ(εο)ῦ]. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Virgin seated on a high throne, with the medallion of Christ in front of her. Sigla preserved at left: ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ [Θ(εο)ῦ]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, with decoration above and below. Border of dots.
ΛΕΟΝΤ,
..ΝΥΝΗΤ,
.ΟΝΣΟΝΟΙΚΕ
ΤΗΝ ΕΔΡ
..ΟΙΑΙΣΤ,
.ΚΕΠΟ..
Λέοντ(α) [πα]νύμνητε, [τ]ὸν σὸν ὀικέτην (πρω)τ(προ(έδρῳ [(καὶ) κ]οιαίστωρι [σ]κέπο[ις]
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.243 |
---|---|
Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 27.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1260; see also PBW: Leon 20255. |
Translation
Λέοντα, πανύμνητε, τὸν σὸν ὀικέτην πρωτοπροέδρῳ καὶ κοιαίστωρι σκέποις.
All-Hymned One, protect Leo, your servant, protoproedros and koiaistor.
Commentary
This two-line dodecasyllabic prayer is addressed to the Virgin ("O All-Hymned One"). There is a strange shift in case from the first line to the second. In the first line, Leo's name is in the accusative case: Λέοντα . . . τὸν σὸν ὀικέτην ("Leo, your servant"), yet in the second Leo's titles are given in the dative: πρωτοπροέδρῳ καὶ κοιαίστωρι ("Protopoedros and Quaestor"). This mistake can be ascribed to the die-cutter's attempt to combine two prefabricated inscriptions.