Anonymous (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.
ουε
σραγΊ̣
πλμΟ̣
στιχΟ̣
Ύ̣
οὐδὲ[ν] σφραγί[ζω] πλὴν μό[νους] στίχο[υς] δύ[ο]
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, apparently with a decoration above. Border of dots.
εστΊ
ιγρΆ
Έντι
Ο̣Ν̣
[οἱ] δὲ στί[χο]ι γράφου[σιν οὐ]δέν τι [πλέ]ον
Obverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.
ουε
σραγΊ̣
πλμΟ̣
στιχΟ̣
Ύ̣
οὐδὲ[ν] σφραγί[ζω] πλὴν μό[νους] στίχο[υς] δύ[ο]
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, apparently with a decoration above. Border of dots.
εστΊ
ιγρΆ
Έντι
Ο̣Ν̣
[οἱ] δὲ στί[χο]ι γράφου[σιν οὐ]δέν τι [πλέ]ον
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.863 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1721. |
Translation
οὐδὲν σφραγίζω πλὴν μόνους στίχους δύο, οἱ δὲ στίχοι γράφουσιν οὐδέν τι πλέον.
I engrave nothing but two verses alone; the verses in turn have nothing more to say.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
In her commentary, Wassiliou-Seibt points to the alliteration and chiastic arrangement of this cleverly crafted inscription, noting the anonymous owner's preference for the written word over images in the first dodecasyllable, then his declaration in the second that the inscription does not convey his name. See the other examples of this inscription in the parallels.
Note the use of accent marks.