Skip to Content

Nikephoros Kastamonites (twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

St. Demeterios standing with a spear and a sword. Sigla (faintly preserved at left): Ο|Α|Γ|Ι|Ο|ΣΔ|Η|Μ|Η|ΤΡΙ|Ο|Σ̣ : Ὁ ἅγιος Δημήτριος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with a cross above. Border of dots.


ΑΘΛΟΦΟΡΕ
ΣΚΕΠΟΙΣΜΕΚΑ
ΑΜΟΝΙΤ
ΟΙΚΕΤΗΝΝΙ
ΚΗΦΟΡΟΝ

Ἀθλοφόρε σκέποις με Κασταμονίτην οἰκέτην Νικηφόρον

Obverse

St. Demeterios standing with a spear and a sword. Sigla (faintly preserved at left): Ο|Α|Γ|Ι|Ο|ΣΔ|Η|Μ|Η|ΤΡΙ|Ο|Σ̣ : Ὁ ἅγιος Δημήτριος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines with a cross above. Border of dots.


ΑΘΛΟΦΟΡΕ
ΣΚΕΠΟΙΣΜΕΚΑ
ΑΜΟΝΙΤ
ΟΙΚΕΤΗΝΝΙ
ΚΗΦΟΡΟΝ

Ἀθλοφόρε σκέποις με Κασταμονίτην οἰκέτην Νικηφόρον

Accession number BZS.1958.106.4925
Diameter 30.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 59.

Translation

Ἀθλοφόρε σκέποις με Κασταμονίτην οἰκέτην Νικηφόρον.

Triumphant one, may you protect me, [your] servant, Nikephoros Kastamonites.

 

Commentary

The inscription is metrical and consists of a dodecsyllabic verse followed by a seven-syllable hemistich.

Two other seals in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, listed below, are parallel to this seal and one is likely related. Cf. Stavrakos, Die Byzantinischen Bleisiegel, p. 198.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)