Manuel (twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin praying with medallion. Inscription : ΘΥ̅ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Partially preserved inscription along upper circumference : ΣΙΝΗ. [ἡ Ἀβυσ]σινή. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ
ΠΟΙΣΜΑΝ
ΗΛΕΜΜΑ
ΝΗΛΗΠΥ
ΛΗ
σκέποις Μανουὴλ, Ἐμμανουὴλ ὴ πύλη
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin praying with medallion. Inscription : ΘΥ̅ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Partially preserved inscription along upper circumference : ΣΙΝΗ. [ἡ Ἀβυσ]σινή. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΣΚΕ
ΠΟΙΣΜΑΝ
ΗΛΕΜΜΑ
ΝΗΛΗΠΥ
ΛΗ
σκέποις Μανουὴλ, Ἐμμανουὴλ ὴ πύλη
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4815 |
|---|---|
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2041. |
Translation
σκέποις Μανουὴλ, Ἐμμανουὴλ ὴ πύλη.
Emmanuel, the gateway, may you protect Manuel.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The appellation "Emmanuel the gateway" refers to the Incarnation of Christ. Note the rare epithet ἡ Ἀβυσσινή ("boundless") accompanying the image of the Mother of God on the obverse.