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George Saponopoulos (thirteenth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Epigraphy, well preserved on left, but faded on the right: ο|α||οσγ|.ω|ρ.|.ι|ο : ὁ ἅγιος Γ[ε]ώρ[γ]ιο[ς]. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


κυρουγε
ωργεργ
.τωρτυρ
..σωνο
.τσγρΦσ
γεωργ̣ι̣ου

κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμ[ά]των μαρτυρ[ίου] Σαπωνοπού[λ]ου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left. Epigraphy, well preserved on left, but faded on the right: ο|α||οσγ|.ω|ρ.|.ι|ο : ὁ ἅγιος Γ[ε]ώρ[γ]ιο[ς]. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


κυρουγε
ωργεργ
.τωρτυρ
..σωνο
.τσγρΦσ
γεωργ̣ι̣ου

κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμ[ά]των μαρτυρ[ίου] Σαπωνοπού[λ]ου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου

Accession number BZS.1958.106.3251
Diameter 32.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1175.

Translation

κύρου γεωργὲ δραγμάτων μαρτυρίου Σαπωνοπούλου τὰς γραφὰς Γεωργίου.

You who gathered the sheaves of martyrdom, confirm the correspondence of George Saponopoulos.

Commentary

The inscription consists of two artfully crafted metrical verses. They balance the owner's name George with both the saint depicted on the obverse and its derivation from γεωργός ("farmer"), here used in a phrase alluding to the saint's reaping the rewards of martyrdom.