George primikerios epi tou koitonos and oikonomos of the Nea Ekklesia (eleventh century)
Obverse
Half-length depiction of a beardless warrior saint (likely St. George) holding a spear in his right hand and a round shield decorated with pellets in his left. A single columnar inscription visible at left: C. Border of dots.
Obverse
Half-length depiction of a beardless warrior saint (likely St. George) holding a spear in his right hand and a round shield decorated with pellets in his left. A single columnar inscription visible at left: C. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.
.κε,θ,
..ργ,η
..κ,ρ,επιτ,
..φυλκτ,
.οιτ..
.ικον.
νεσ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) [Γε]ωργή(ῳ) (πρι)[μι]κ(η)ρ(ίῳ) ἐπὶ τ(οῦ) [θ(ε)ο]φυλάκτ(ου) [κ]οιτῶ[ν(ος) (καὶ) ο]ἰκον(όμῳ) [τ(ῆς)] Νέας
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5344 |
---|---|
Diameter | 31.0 mm; field: 28.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 48.4. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Γεωργήῳ πριμικηρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ θεοφυλάκτου κοιτῶνος καὶ οἰκονόμῳ τῆς Νέας.
Lord, help George primikerios epi tou koitonos guarded by God, and oikonomos of the Nea Ekklesia.
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)
- Les listes de préséance byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
After the gamma in line 2 (reverse) the die cutter has placed an unnecessary suspension mark.
The Nea Ekklesia was a sanctuary built in the Great Palace in 880 by Basil I and consecrated to the Mother of God, St. Elias, St. Michael, and St. Nicholas. The ceremony commemorating its inauguration was marked by a procession departing from the church of the Theotokos of the Pharos and leading to the Nea, where a liturgy was celebrated followed by a banquet in the Chrysotriklinos (Listes, 214; ODB 2:1146). By the twelfth century the church had become a monastery. From the fact that chartoularioi and oikonomoi were attached to the church we may infer that the church enjoyed revenues from extensive estates.