Mepi, sinner (seventh/eighth century)
Obverse
A cross surmounted by the letter Φ. In the quarters: σρ|γησ. Wreath border.
Σφραγής
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Indeterminate border.
μεπ
ηστου
μρτ
ολου
Mεπῆς τοῦ ἁμαρτολοῦ
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.410 |
---|---|
Diameter | 22.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 77.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 433. Both misread the first line of the reverse. |
Translation
Σφραγὴς Μεπῆς τοῦ ἁμαρτολοῦ.
Seal of Mepi, sinner.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Relations historiques (Open in Zotero)
- Cronaca (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Both Zacos–Veglery and DO Seals 5 read the first line of the reverse as +MON. This reading is incorrect, as the second letter is very clearly an epsilon. The final letter on the first line could be a nu, but it is more likely a pi.
Reading "Hamartolos" as a family name would be highly unlikely as early as the late seventh or early eighth century. We prefer instead to read it as "sinner," an epithet for an individual bearing the name Mepi.
This is possibly a Georgian title or name. "Mep'e" (მეფე; gen.: მეფის, "mep'is") is the Georgian word for king, and μεπῆς could certainly be a rendering of the genitive form. Among Byzantine writers, however, μέπε is only used by the later historians Pachymeres (3.21) and Sphrantzes (30.1). Whether the title was ever used as a personal name is uncertain.