Constantine ...demonites, proedros (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
St Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Inscription: ο|α|γι|ο|σδ̣|η̣.|τ : ὁ ἅγιος Δη[μή]τ[ρ(ιος)]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of at least five lines. Border of dots.
δημον,
λμαρτυσ
ν̣κ̅νπροε
ρ̣ονσκεπη
.ατριν
...δημον(ίτην) μ(ε)γ(α)λ(ο)μάρτυς [σὸ]ν Κων(σταντῖνον) πρόε[δ]ρον σκέπης [λ]άτριν
Obverse
St Demetrios standing, holding a spear and shield. Inscription: ο|α|γι|ο|σδ̣|η̣.|τ : ὁ ἅγιος Δη[μή]τ[ρ(ιος)]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of at least five lines. Border of dots.
δημον,
λμαρτυσ
ν̣κ̅νπροε
ρ̣ονσκεπη
.ατριν
...δημον(ίτην) μ(ε)γ(α)λ(ο)μάρτυς [σὸ]ν Κων(σταντῖνον) πρόε[δ]ρον σκέπης [λ]άτριν
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1407 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1286. |
Translation
...δημονίτην μεγαλομάρτυς σὸν Κωνσταντῖνον πρόεδρον σκέπης λάτριν.
May you protect, great martyr, your servant Constantine ...demonites, proedros.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
It appears that the blank was too small for the die and that the top line of the reverse was not engraved. The family name of the owner cannot be restored; all that we know is that the first hemistich of the metrical verse requires three syllables to be complete. In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent tentatively restored the inscription as follows: φύλαττε Νικόδημον ἅμα μάρτυς με, Κωνσταντῖνον πρόξιμον εὐσεβῆ λάτριν.