John Lachanas (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
εισκυ
ροσεργν
κισργι
γρ
τ̣̣ν̣
εἰς κῦρος ἔργων καὶ σφραγῖδα γραμμάτων
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
γρμ
μττυ̣
π̣οιλχ̣̣
ν̣σι
σ
γράμματα τυποῖ Λαχανᾶς Ἰωάννης
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
εισκυ
ροσεργν
κισργι
γρ
τ̣̣ν̣
εἰς κῦρος ἔργων καὶ σφραγῖδα γραμμάτων
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
γρμ
μττυ̣
π̣οιλχ̣̣
ν̣σι
σ
γράμματα τυποῖ Λαχανᾶς Ἰωάννης
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1490 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm; field: 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Bulles métriques, no. 122; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 704. See also PBW : Ioannes 20550. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
εἰς κῦρος ἔργων καὶ σφραγῖδα γραμμάτων γράμματα τυποῖ Λαχανᾶς Ἰωάννης.
John Lachanas inscribes these lines to confirm his deeds and seal his letters.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
- Les bulles métriques dans la sigillographie byzantine (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription, consisting of a twelve-syllable verse on each side, is shrewdly designed to make the word γράμμα (meaning both the contents of a letter and an inscription) the hinge between the two verses.