Basil Xeros, vestarches (eleventh century)
Obverse
Two saints standing in non-military garb, nimbed, facing toward each other. At left, St. Mark with sigla preserved at left: Μ|ΑΡ|Κ|Ο|Σ : Μαρκός. At right, St. Demetrios. No sigla visible. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
̣Α̣ποστο
Λ̣̣Ν̣ΠΡΤΙ
Σ̣Τ̣Ε̣Μ̣Α̣Ρ̣ΤΥΡ̣
. .λεοση.ο̣ν̣
σ̣κεποιτε̣̣α̣
σιλειον̣ε̣
σταρχη̣,
[ἀ]ποστό[λων] πρώτι[στε, μαρ]τύρων κλέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχη(ν)
Obverse
Two saints standing in non-military garb, nimbed, facing toward each other. At left, St. Mark with sigla preserved at left: Μ|ΑΡ|Κ|Ο|Σ : Μαρκός. At right, St. Demetrios. No sigla visible. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
̣Α̣ποστο
Λ̣̣Ν̣ΠΡΤΙ
Σ̣Τ̣Ε̣Μ̣Α̣Ρ̣ΤΥΡ̣
. .λεοση.ο̣ν̣
σ̣κεποιτε̣̣α̣
σιλειον̣ε̣
σταρχη̣,
[ἀ]ποστό[λων] πρώτι[στε, μαρ]τύρων κλέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχη(ν)
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3811 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm |
| Condition | Quite worn. |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 125 (cited by the negative number rather than by the catalogue number). |
Translation
ἀποστόλων πρώτιστε, μαρτύρων κλέος, Ξηρὸν σκέποιτε Βασίλειον βεστάρχην.
Foremost of the Apostles, glory of the martyrs, may you protect the vestarches Basil Xeros.
Commentary
The reading of the obverse and the identification of the saint shown on the right of the obverse have been confirmed with reference to the better preserved specimens of the same owner cited in this entry.