Stephen Kontostephanos Komnenos (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
St. Stephen the protomartyr holding a censer in his right hand and the model of a church in his left. Inscription on either side: |.τε|φ|νο|σο||το|μ|α|ρ|τυ| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Σ]τέφανος ὁ πρωτομάρτυς. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
ομυμ
σονκοο
τονεκενσ
μρτυσκοντ
εφνονσκε̣
ποισκιε
ὁμωνυμ[όν] σον Κομνηνὸ[ν] τὸν ἐκ γένους, μάρτυς, Κοντ[ο]στέφανον σκέποις καὶ στέ[φ(οις)]
Obverse
St. Stephen the protomartyr holding a censer in his right hand and the model of a church in his left. Inscription on either side: |.τε|φ|νο|σο||το|μ|α|ρ|τυ| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Σ]τέφανος ὁ πρωτομάρτυς. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.
ομυμ
σονκοο
τονεκενσ
μρτυσκοντ
εφνονσκε̣
ποισκιε
ὁμωνυμ[όν] σον Κομνηνὸ[ν] τὸν ἐκ γένους, μάρτυς, Κοντ[ο]στέφανον σκέποις καὶ στέ[φ(οις)]
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3952 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 34.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1624. |
Translation
ὁμωνυμόν σον Κομνηνὸν τὸν ἐκ γένους, μάρτυς, Κοντοστέφανον σκέποις καὶ στέφοις.
Martyr, may you protect and distinguish your servant Kontostephanos, a Komnenos by descent, who shares your name.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription consists of two twelve-syllable verses. The owner is likely to be identified as the Stephen Kontostephanos Komnenos who with his father and brothers rebelled against the emperor Andonikos I (1183-1185) but was apprehended and blinded.