Niketas (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St John the Baptist (the Precursor), with nimbus, long hair, and beard, holding hand before him without long cross. Inscription at left : |ΙΩ̅|ΟΠ̣Ρ̣|Δ̣|Ρ̣ : ὁ ἅγιος Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(ό)δρ(ομος). Circular inscription, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ......Ο̣ΦΗΤΑ
σκέ[ποις Π]ροφητά
Reverse
Bust of St Niketas, with nimbus, in non-military garb, holding cross before him. Inscription at left : |Ν|ΙΚ|Η|Τ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νική(τας). Circular inscription. Border of dots.
Ν̣.ΚΗΤ...ΩΟ.ΚΕΤ,
Ν[ι]κήτ(ᾳ) [τῷ σ]ῷ ο[ἰ]κέτ(ῃ)
Obverse
Bust of St John the Baptist (the Precursor), with nimbus, long hair, and beard, holding hand before him without long cross. Inscription at left : |ΙΩ̅|ΟΠ̣Ρ̣|Δ̣|Ρ̣ : ὁ ἅγιος Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(ό)δρ(ομος). Circular inscription, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ......Ο̣ΦΗΤΑ
σκέ[ποις Π]ροφητά
Reverse
Bust of St Niketas, with nimbus, in non-military garb, holding cross before him. Inscription at left : |Ν|ΙΚ|Η|Τ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νική(τας). Circular inscription. Border of dots.
Ν̣.ΚΗΤ...ΩΟ.ΚΕΤ,
Ν[ι]κήτ(ᾳ) [τῷ σ]ῷ ο[ἰ]κέτ(ῃ)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3516 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
σκέποις, Προφητά, Νικήτᾳ τῷ σῷ οἰκέτῃ.
Prophet, may you protect your servant Niketas.
Commentary
The inscription appears to be metrical but contains an extra syllable.