John Doukas, sebastos (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of St George holding a spear and shield. Epigraph on either side: |γ|ε|ρ|γ|ι|ο. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώργιο[ς]. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
..πτηυνριστνσοφναθληφορ,
[σε]πτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρ(ων)
Reverse
Bust of St Demetrios holding a spear and shield. Epigraphy preserved at left: ||η|μ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημ[ήτριος]. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
σκ.ποιτεδουκ.....στονι̅
σκέποιτε Δούκα[ν σεβα]στὸν Ἰω(άννην)
Obverse
Bust of St George holding a spear and shield. Epigraph on either side: |γ|ε|ρ|γ|ι|ο. : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώργιο[ς]. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
..πτηυνριστνσοφναθληφορ,
[σε]πτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρ(ων)
Reverse
Bust of St Demetrios holding a spear and shield. Epigraphy preserved at left: ||η|μ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημ[ήτριος]. Within a double border of dots, a circular inscription running along the circumference, beginning at twelve o'clock:
σκ.ποιτεδουκ.....στονι̅
σκέποιτε Δούκα[ν σεβα]στὸν Ἰω(άννην)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1926 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | This inscription should be added to the entry in Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1922. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
σεπτὴ ξυνωρὶς τῶν σοφῶν ἀθληφόρων σκέποιτε Δούκαν σεβαστὸν Ἰωάννην.
May you, the sacred pair of sage champions, protect the sebastos John Doukas.
Commentary
The reading of this metrical inscription has been restored with reference to the better preserved parallels and transcription found in Wassiliou-Seibt's catalogue.