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George Manganes (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St George, holding a spear in his left hand and a shield in his right. Inscription visible to the right: Γ|Ι|ΟΣ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώρ]γιος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.

αθλητ.
σωζετη.
γραφην
τμαγ
γανη

Ἀθλητ[ά], σῶζε τὴ[ν] γραφὴν τοῦ Μαγγάνη

Obverse

Bust of St George, holding a spear in his left hand and a shield in his right. Inscription visible to the right: Γ|Ι|ΟΣ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώρ]γιος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.

αθλητ.
σωζετη.
γραφην
τμαγ
γανη

Ἀθλητ[ά], σῶζε τὴ[ν] γραφὴν τοῦ Μαγγάνη

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1913
Diameter 23.0 mm
Previous Editions

Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegle mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 54.

Translation

Ἀθλητά, σῶζε τὴν γραφὴν τοῦ Μαγγάνη.

Champion, keep safe the correspondence of Manganes.

Commentary

Dodecasyllable. While his Christian name is not stated in the inscription, this individual has been identified by Cheynet as George Manganes (Seyrig, no. 310), as have a number of his other seals listed there; the saint depicted, George, may well be the main clue to the owner's Christian name.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
  • Les sceaux byzantins de la Collection Henri Seyrig (Open in Zotero)