(The xenon of) St. Sampson (eighth century)
Obverse
Cross potent; in each quarter, a six-rayed star. Wreath border.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Wreath border.
του
οσιου
σαμ
Ν
τοῦ ὁσίου Σαμψών
Accession number | BZS.1947.2.29 |
---|---|
Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 37.2e. |
Translation
τοῦ ὁσίου Σαμψών.
(Seal of the xenon of) St. Sampson.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- The Miracles of St. Artemios: A Collection of Miracle Stories by an Anonymous Author of Seventh-Century Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
- The Sampson Hospital of Constantinople (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The hospital of St. Sampson was located between St. Eirene's church and Hagia Sophia. T. Miller has argued that Sampson, a physician, was active in the fourth century and it was at this time that he established a modest hospital for the relief of the poor. According to hagiographical sources, he lived in the sixth century. He cured Justinian I of a bladder infection and in gratitude the emperor endowed a splendid hospital in his name. From a reference in the Miracles of St. Artemios (p. 127) it is known that the hospital had physicians who specialized in eye care, as well as surgery. See ODB 3: 1837; and Miller, "Sampson Hospital," 101–116.