Nikephoros (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of Saint George, with nimbus, holding spear in right hand, shield in left hand. At left : Γ|Ε|; at right : Ρ̣Γ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Γεώργ(ιος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription four lines. Border of dots.
....
.κε̣...
τ̣ολον̣
ν̣ηκιφο
ρον
[ἁγνέ, σ]κέ[πε με], τὸ(ν) δούλον Νηκίφορον
Obverse
Bust of Saint George, with nimbus, holding spear in right hand, shield in left hand. At left : Γ|Ε|; at right : Ρ̣Γ : [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Γεώργ(ιος). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription four lines. Border of dots.
....
.κε̣...
τ̣ολον̣
ν̣ηκιφο
ρον
[ἁγνέ, σ]κέ[πε με], τὸ(ν) δούλον Νηκίφορον
| Accession number | BZS.1977.34.63 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | This inscription should be added to the corpus of metrical seals compiled by Alexandra Wassiliou-Seibt. |
Translation
ἁγνέ, σκέπε με, τὸν δούλον Νηκίφορον
Holy one, protect me, your servant Nikephoros.
Commentary
The part of the inscription that can be read with confidence indicates that we are dealing with a metrical verse. Since the blank was too small for the die, we may assume that the first line is missing here. By analogy with similar formulae, we propose that it read something like ἁγνέ, σκέπε με, forming the first hemistich of the verse.