Skip to Content

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|ΧΗ|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.

Obverse

St Achillios blessing with his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Inscription in to columns: |Α|ΧΗ|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
Diameter 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 7, 15.36.

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.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)