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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
κ̣ν

Λέον[τ]α φρου[ρ]ὸν τῆς γραφῆς τ(ί)θ(η)μι Κων(σταντῖνος)

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
κ̣ν

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.

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.

Bibliography

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