Anonymous (thirteenth century, second half)
Obverse
Half-length figure of St Theodore in military costume holding a lance in his right hand and a shield in his left. Inscription in two columns: Ο|Α|ΓΙ|Ο̣.|ΕΟ̣|Δ : ὁ ἅγιο(ς) [Θ]εόδ(ωρος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Half-length figure of St Theodore Stratelates in military costume holding a lance in his right hand and a shield in his left. Inscription in two columns: Δ|ΟΟ̣|ΣΤ|ΡΑ|Τ̣.|..Τ̣: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεό]δ[ωρ]ο(ς) ὁ Στρατ[ηλά]τ(ης). Border of dots.
Obverse
Half-length figure of St Theodore in military costume holding a lance in his right hand and a shield in his left. Inscription in two columns: Ο|Α|ΓΙ|Ο̣.|ΕΟ̣|Δ : ὁ ἅγιο(ς) [Θ]εόδ(ωρος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Half-length figure of St Theodore Stratelates in military costume holding a lance in his right hand and a shield in his left. Inscription in two columns: Δ|ΟΟ̣|ΣΤ|ΡΑ|Τ̣.|..Τ̣: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεό]δ[ωρ]ο(ς) ὁ Στρατ[ηλά]τ(ης). Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3520 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 18.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 16.73. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
One of the most popular saints found on seals, Theodore is usually depicted without an epithet. Of the 777 images found in the published collections, just seventeen carry the epithet "Teron" ("the recruit"), thirty-three the epithet "Stratelates." Both epithets appear on seals during the eleventh century. Since the Theodore on the reverse is identified as the Stratelates, then the Theodore on the obverse is to be understood as the Teron even though no epithet is provided. For the epithets of Saint Theodore, see no. 5.8 (BZS.1958.106.2970.), above.
Parallel to Istanbul, no.10.87.