Michael Pentabonites (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans, with medallion of Christ on her chest. Sigla on either side: Μ̅-ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross of dots above. Border of dots.
ΓΡΑΦΟ/
ΜΙΧΑΗΛ
ΣΗ̣ΜΑΠΕ
Ν̣ΤΑΡ
Ν̣ΙΤ
γραφο(ν) Μιχαὴλ σῆμα Πενταβωνίτου
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans, with medallion of Christ on her chest. Sigla on either side: Μ̅-ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross of dots above. Border of dots.
ΓΡΑΦΟ/
ΜΙΧΑΗΛ
ΣΗ̣ΜΑΠΕ
Ν̣ΤΑΡ
Ν̣ΙΤ
γραφο(ν) Μιχαὴλ σῆμα Πενταβωνίτου
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3842 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.0 mm; field: 15.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | This inscription should be added to the catalogue assembled by Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, vol. I. |
Translation
γραφον Μιχαὴλ σῆμα Πενταβωνίτου.
She (the Mother of God) is the seal of the writings of Michael Pentabonites.
Commentary
This interesting metrical inscription could be read in one of two ways, depending on the reading of the last letter of the first line on the reverse. If we read γραφοὶ (homophonic error for γραφὴ), the inscription would mean something like "the letter is the mark of Michael Pentabonites," whereas if we read γραφο(ν) (i.e. γραφῶν), the meaning would be "She (the Mother of God on the obverse) is the seal of Michael Pentabonites' letters." We prefer the latter reading.
On the use of σῆμα in the sense of token or seal, see Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, p. 47 and the entries no. 513 and 1083.