Nikephoros (?) (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Decoration above and below. Border of dots.
ΣΦΡ
ΓΙΣΣΦΗ,
ΠΕΦΥΚΕΝ
ΕΚΓΡΦΗ
ΜΟΝΗΣ
σφραγὶς σαφὴ(ς) πέφυκεν ἐκ γραφῆ(ς) μόνης
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a decoration above and below. Border of dots.
ουκλη
σισευκλ,
σσυν̣
νυμοσνι
κησ
οὗ κλῆσις εὐκλ(ε)ῶς συνώνυμος νίκης
Obverse
Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Decoration above and below. Border of dots.
ΣΦΡ
ΓΙΣΣΦΗ,
ΠΕΦΥΚΕΝ
ΕΚΓΡΦΗ
ΜΟΝΗΣ
σφραγὶς σαφὴ(ς) πέφυκεν ἐκ γραφῆ(ς) μόνης
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a decoration above and below. Border of dots.
ουκλη
σισευκλ,
σσυν̣
νυμοσνι
κησ
οὗ κλῆσις εὐκλ(ε)ῶς συνώνυμος νίκης
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3755 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 16.0 mm; field: 12.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2797 (with a slightly different reading). |
Translation
σφραγὶς σαφὴς πέφυκεν ἐκ γραφῆς μόνης οὗ κλῆσις εὐκλεῶς συνώνυμος νίκης.
Whose seal this is is clear from the letter alone; his name is synonymous with glorious victory.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The circumlocution hinting at the owner's name, "synonymous with glorious victory," likely means Nikephoros ("bringer of victory") but could also be taken as Niketas ("victor"), or perhaps even Kleonikos (although this would be an extremely rare instance of the name).