Dometios orphanotrophos (sixth/seventh century)
Obverse
Busts of Sts. Peter and Paul, facing each other and wearing himations. St. Peter is on the left and has a short beard while St. Paul is on the right and has a long beard. Above them in the center, a cross. Wreath border.
Obverse
Busts of Sts. Peter and Paul, facing each other and wearing himations. St. Peter is on the left and has a short beard while St. Paul is on the right and has a long beard. Above them in the center, a cross. Wreath border.
Reverse
Cruciform monogram. Wreath border.
- δ - - ι - μ - ν - ο - ρ - τ - υ -
Δομετίου ὀρφανοτρόφου
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.261 |
---|---|
Diameter | 23.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 1169. |
Translation
Δομετίου ὀρφανοτρόφου.
(Seal of) Dometios orphanotrophos.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The obverse likely is a representation of the ecstatic meeting between Peter and Paul; Zacos describes that Schlumberger (Sigillographie, p. 380) published a related seal (also analyzed by Bury in The Imperial Administrative System) that has a similar obverse and a reverse that reads ὀρφανοτρόφ' in a circular inscription and a monogram that deciphers to (according to Bury) Ιουστίνου καὶ Σοφίας; Schlumberger and Bury associate this with the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul within the precincts of the Orphanotropheion, according to Theophanes, in 571-572, a terminus post quem for this and Schlumberger's seal. Zacos' resolution of the reverse is quite acceptable, as ὀρφανοτρόφου is assuredly present, and Δομετίου effectively completes the monogram.