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John domestikos of the Great Church (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Wreath border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

ιν
νομ
τ/ι εκκ
λισ

Ἰωάννου δομεστίκου τῆςερᾶς Ἐκκλησίας

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). Wreath border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

ιν
νομ
τ/ι εκκ
λισ

Ἰωάννου δομεστίκου τῆςερᾶς Ἐκκλησίας

Accession number BZS.1947.2.304
Diameter 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Corpus V/1, no. 138.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννου δομεστίκου τῆς ἱερᾶς Ἐκκλησίας.

Theotokos, help. (Seal of) John domestikos of the holy Church.

Commentary

The beginning of the third line of the reverse inscription requires some interpretation. As there are abbreviation marks after both the Τ and the Ι, the reading of δομεστίκῳ is unlikely, especially because the Τ more likely indicates the definate article before Ἐκκλησίας. Instead, it has here been interpreted as "the holy Church," referring to either Hagia Sophia or Hagia Eirene in Constantinople, or to the church as a whole.

Bibliography