David (eleventh century)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΓΙ
ΓΙ
ΓΙ
ΤΡΙΣ
̣Γ̣Ι̣̣
ἁγία, ἁγία, ἁγία, τρισαγία
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΓΙ
ΓΙ
ΓΙ
ΤΡΙΣ
̣Γ̣Ι̣̣
ἁγία, ἁγία, ἁγία, τρισαγία
Reverse
Partially preserved inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
.ΒΙ
..Ν̣ΤΟΝ
....ΚΕ.
.Ν̣ΦΛ
..ΤΕ
[Δ]αβι[δὸ]ν τὸν [σὸν ί]κέ[τη]ν φύλ[ατ]τε
Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1411 |
---|---|
Diameter | 27.0 mm; field: 24.0 mm |
Translation
ἁγία, ἁγία, ἁγία, τρισαγία, Δαβιδὸν τὸν σὸν ίκέτην φύλαττε.
Holy, holy, holy, thrice holy, protect your servant David.
Commentary
Note the form of the name David, normally indeclinable. The poor quality of the epigraphy makes it difficult to date this seal. The traces of a cross above the inscription on the obverse point to a date in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, but this is slender evidence.
The inscription on the reverse appears to be metrical in intent if not in result. If the transcription is correct, the second hemistich falls one syllable short.