Skip to Content

Constantine (tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

θεητ
οκουφρου
ρειμεπρεσ ̣
ιαισλογ
εαρχαγγ̣Ε
λ
̣
̣ντε

Θεητόκε φρούρει με πρεσβείαις, Λόγε, ἀρχαγγέλων τε

Reverse

In the center, a patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps. Pellets on either side, beneath the lower arm. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

σονλα......ν̣σ̣ταντινονα

σὸν λά[τριν Κω]νσταντῖνον. άμήν

Obverse

Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.

θεητ
οκουφρου
ρειμεπρεσ ̣
ιαισλογ
εαρχαγγ̣Ε
λ
̣
̣ντε

Θεητόκε φρούρει με πρεσβείαις, Λόγε, ἀρχαγγέλων τε

Reverse

In the center, a patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps. Pellets on either side, beneath the lower arm. Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:

σονλα......ν̣σ̣ταντινονα

σὸν λά[τριν Κω]νσταντῖνον. άμήν

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4165
Diameter 28.0 mm; field: 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 871.

Translation

Θεητόκε φρούρει με πρεσβείαις, Λόγε, ἀρχαγγέλων τε σὸν λάτριν Κωνσταντῖνον. άμήν

Word of God, protect me, Constantine, through the intercessions of the Mother of God and the archangels. Amen

Commentary

The seal, likely dating from the first half of the tenth century, presents an early example of a metrical verse expressing a prayer; the word ἀμήν concludes the prayer but is not part of the inscription.

Note the unusual form Θεητόκου in the first line of the obverse, perhaps a mistake, but as Wassiliou-Seibt argues, necessary for the metre.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)