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Noah patrikios (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
ηθοσ
σφραγι
τνετασ
εκφρα
σεισ

ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
τουπα
τρικι
σκεποις
συχρισ
τεμ

τοῦ πατρικίου (καὶ) σκέποις σύ, Χριστέ μου

Obverse

Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
ηθοσ
σφραγι
τνετασ
εκφρα
σεισ

ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a decoration above. Border of dots.

  
τουπα
τρικι
σκεποις
συχρισ
τεμ

τοῦ πατρικίου (καὶ) σκέποις σύ, Χριστέ μου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.638
Diameter 28.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 867.

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

Translation

ἦθος σφραγίζω τοῦ Νῶε τὰς ἐκφράσεις τοῦ πατρικίου καὶ σκέποις σύ, Χριστέ μου.

I am the seal identifying the pronouncements of the patrikios Noah, and may you, my Christ, give your protection.

Commentary

The inscription is unusual in combining a statement of the seal's purpose with an invocation to Christ; note that the object of the verb σκέποις must be understood.