George Saponopoulos (thirteenth century, second half)
Obverse
St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Epigraphy, well preserved on left, but faded on the right: ο|α||οσγ|.ω|ρ.|.ι|ο : ὁ ἅγιος Γ[ε]ώρ[γ]ιο[ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
κυρουγε
ωργεργ
.τωρτυρ
..σωνο
.τσγρΦσ
γεωργ̣ι̣ου
κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμ[ά]των μαρτυρ[ίου] Σαπωνοπού[λ]ου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου
Obverse
St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Epigraphy, well preserved on left, but faded on the right: ο|α||οσγ|.ω|ρ.|.ι|ο : ὁ ἅγιος Γ[ε]ώρ[γ]ιο[ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
κυρουγε
ωργεργ
.τωρτυρ
..σωνο
.τσγρΦσ
γεωργ̣ι̣ου
κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμ[ά]των μαρτυρ[ίου] Σαπωνοπού[λ]ου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.3251 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 32.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1175. |
Translation
κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμάτων μαρτυρίου Σαπωνοπούλου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου.
You who gathered the sheaves of martyrdom, confirm the correspondence of George Saponopoulos.
Commentary
The inscription consists of two artfully crafted metrical verses. They balance the owner's name George with both the saint depicted on the obverse and its derivation from γεωργός ("farmer"), here used in a phrase alluding to the saint's reaping the rewards of martyrdom.