Anonymous (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
St Achillios blessing with his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Inscription in to columns: |Α|ΧΗ|ΛΙ|, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἀχήλι(ος). Border of dots.
Obverse
St Achillios blessing with his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Inscription in to columns: |Α|ΧΗ|ΛΙ|, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἀχήλι(ος). Border of dots.
Reverse
St Demetrios in military costume holding a lance in his right hand and a shield in his left. Inscription in two columns: ̣|Δ̣|Η̣Μ|.|.Ρ, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δημ[ήτ]ρ(ιος). Border of dots.
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1985 |
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Diameter | 22.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, 15.36. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Saint Achillios is rarely depicted on seals. Among the published collections he appears on seven seals ranging from the tenth/eleventh century to the twelfth. Of these, four were issued by metropolitans of Larissa, Greece, which is the center of his cult: Achillios was the fourth-century metropolitan of Larissa and had attended the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicaea in 325. For a discussion of the cult of Saint Achillios, see Karagiorgou, "Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀχίλλιος," 233-246. Since Achillios is rare sphragistic figure, it is likely that this seal and BZS.1955.1.1747, which both pair the hierarch with Saint Demetrios, were issued by the same individual.