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Theodore Choumnos, sebastos (twelfth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

The two Saints Theodore (Tiron and Stratelates) standing with their hands upraised, gazing up towards the manus Dei. Their shields and spears lie on the ground between them. On either side, the same inscription: |θ|εο||ρ|ο|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεόδωρος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


σκεποις
σεστον
θεορον
τονχουον
σεπτηΞυνρισ
μρτυρν
θεορν
  

σκέποις σεβαστὸν Θεόδωρον τὸν Χοῦμνον, σεπτὴ ξυνωρὶς μαρτύρων Θεοδώρων

Obverse

The two Saints Theodore (Tiron and Stratelates) standing with their hands upraised, gazing up towards the manus Dei. Their shields and spears lie on the ground between them. On either side, the same inscription: |θ|εο||ρ|ο|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεόδωρος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines, a cross above and a decoration below. Border of dots.


σκεποις
σεστον
θεορον
τονχουον
σεπτηΞυνρισ
μρτυρν
θεορν
  

σκέποις σεβαστὸν Θεόδωρον τὸν Χοῦμνον, σεπτὴ ξυνωρὶς μαρτύρων Θεοδώρων

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.12
Diameter 32.0 mm; field: 30.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2195.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

σκέποις σεβαστὸν Θεόδωρον τὸν Χοῦμνον, σεπτὴ ξυνωρὶς μαρτύρων Θεοδώρων.

May you, the venerable pair of the martyrs Theodore, protect the sebastos Theodore Choumnos.

Commentary

The owner of this beautifully crafted seal with its image and verses may well be the same Theodore Choumnos (fl. 1180-1195) attested by Niketas Choniates; see Wassiliou-Seibt's remarks in her commentary.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)