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Gabras sebastos, and Sikelos (thirteenth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God standing with her hands upraised in prayer. Epigraphy on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines beginning with a cross. Note the division in the fourth line demarcating the two twelve-syllable verses. Border of dots.

γΒ.
σεβκι
γρΦσκι
κτε  κισι
κελουπν
γνεχ̅υ̅γη
κυρ

Γαβ[ρ]ᾶ σεβαστοῦ καὶ γραφὰς καὶ πρακτέα καὶ Σικελοῦ, πάναγνε, Χ(ριστο)ῦ γῆ, κύρου

Obverse

The Mother of God standing with her hands upraised in prayer. Epigraphy on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of seven lines beginning with a cross. Note the division in the fourth line demarcating the two twelve-syllable verses. Border of dots.

γΒ.
σεβκι
γρΦσκι
κτε  κισι
κελουπν
γνεχ̅υ̅γη
κυρ

Γαβ[ρ]ᾶ σεβαστοῦ καὶ γραφὰς καὶ πρακτέα καὶ Σικελοῦ, πάναγνε, Χ(ριστο)ῦ γῆ, κύρου

Accession number BZS.1958.106.5523
Diameter 33.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 222.

Translation

Γαβρᾶ σεβαστοῦ καὶ γραφὰς καὶ πρακτέα καὶ Σικελοῦ, πάναγνε, Χριστοῦ γῆ, κύρου.

All-holy One, native earth of Christ, confirm the correspondence and acts of Gabras the sebastos and of Sikelos.

Commentary

The inscription names two owners of the seal, Gabras (a sebastos) and Sikelos. Neither of their Christian names is given. For other examples of inscriptions citing two owners, see Wassiliou-Seibt's commentary and Oikonomides, Dated Seals, nos. 145 and 146.

Note too the (rare on seals) metaphorical reference to the Mother of God (or Theotokos): Χριστοῦ γῆ.

Bibliography

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