Constantine (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Within a triple border of dots, a lion.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Indistinct traces of a decoration above. Border of dots.
λεον̣.α
φρου.ον
τησγρ̣α̣φησ
τ̣θ̣μ̣ι̣
κ̣ν
Λέον[τ]α φρου[ρ]ὸν τῆς γραφῆς τ(ί)θ(η)μι Κων(σταντῖνος)
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2014 |
---|---|
Diameter | 34.0 mm; field: 30.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1264. |
Translation
Λέοντα φρουρὸν τῆς γραφῆς τίθημι Κωνσταντῖνος.
I, Constantine, have made a lion guard of my letter.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
An early example of fifteen-syllable political verse. The reading of the third line is not certain, but it is noteworthy that the owner of the seal makes a lion, as opposed to a holy figure, the protector of his seal.