Constantine V and Leo IV (751–75)
Previous Editions
DO Seals 6 no. 33.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 36c. The example published by Seibt, Bleisiegel, no. 16 (751–ca. 770) is perhaps a late eighth-century forgery.
Obverse
Cross potent on four steps. Circular inscription. Wreath border.
En on[om(ati) tu p(at)r(os) (καὶ) tu y(io)u (καὶ)] tu agiu b(ne)u(mato)s.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines. Indeterminate border.
[C]onstantinos (καὶ) Leon pistoi basilis Romaion.
En onomati tu patros καὶ tu yiou καὶ tu agiu bneumatos Constantinos καὶ Leon pistoi basilis Romaion.
Constantine and Leo, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, faithful basileis of the Romans.
Inscription Audio
Commentary:
At the end of the circular inscription on the obverse the letter G appears as C, and the abbreviation for PNEUMATOS appears as bUS instead of PNS (see also BZS.1958.106.581, where bU is interpreted as a retrograde PN). Zacos and Veglery (no. 36b) attribute to Constantine V and Leo IV a seal on which PNEUMATOS is abbreviated PNS.
In addition, note S as an abbreviation for καί, as well as the reverse inscription, in which the Greek is expressed in Latin letters. bASILIS is the Latin equivalent of the Greek βασιλεῖς.
Bibliography
Document Actions
