Noah patrikios (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.
ηθοσ
σφραγι
τνετασ
εκφρα
σεισ
ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.
ηθοσ
σφραγι
τνετασ
εκφρα
σεισ
ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.
τουπα
τρικι
σκεποις
συχρισ
τεμ
τοῦ πατρικίου (καὶ) σκέποις σύ, Χριστέ μου
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.638 |
---|---|
Diameter | 28.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 867. |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις τοῦ πατρικίου καὶ σκέποις σύ, Χριστέ μου.
I am the seal identifying the pronouncements of the patrikios Noah, and may you, my Christ, give your protection.
Commentary
The inscription is unusual in combining a statement of the seal's purpose with an invocation to Christ; note that the object of the verb σκέποις must be understood.