Basil (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Saint Basil, standing, facing, with traits and gestures unclear. Inscription to both sides: |Α|ΣΙΛΕΙ|Ο: ὁ ἅγιος Βασίλειος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with decorations above and below. Border of dots.
σφραγισ
μαγραφων
..τελσ
ιλει
Σφράγισμα γραφῶν εὐτελοῦς Βασιλείου
Obverse
Saint Basil, standing, facing, with traits and gestures unclear. Inscription to both sides: |Α|ΣΙΛΕΙ|Ο: ὁ ἅγιος Βασίλειος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with decorations above and below. Border of dots.
σφραγισ
μαγραφων
..τελσ
ιλει
Σφράγισμα γραφῶν εὐτελοῦς Βασιλείου
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1380 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Bulles métriques, no. 707. |
Translation
Σφράγισμα γραφῶν εὐτελοῦς Βασιλείου.
Seal of the writings of the worthless Basil.
Bibliography
- Les bulles métriques dans la sigillographie byzantine (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Dodecasyllable. While it is possible that the word εὐτελοῦς, "worthless," may be an indicator of monastic piety and thus that this Basil is a monk, it is just as possible that it indicates nothing helpful at all. Laurent reads the name Basil on the reverse, restoring the first three letters. While this is indeed strange, it seems to be the case, based on the remaining letters of the name, and on the depiction of St. Basil on the obverse.