Silver Roundel Inscribed and Decorated with a High Relief Head - X.0724 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 200
AD
to 600
AD Dimensions:3.5" (8.9cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide Collection: Classical Antiquities Medium: Silver
This high-relief piece depicts the head (and low-
relief body) of a bearded man of uncertain
identity, although he may be either a religious
figure such as John the Baptist, or perhaps one of
the Late Byzantine emperors. The Greek
inscription suggests that the piece played a
protective role, perhaps in a high-status
household:
LIKINNIS NENEDOS BOTRANOS APEDOKA TO
DIEITEN EUKHEN HUPER SOTERIAS TES OIKIAS
Translation:
Likinnis Nenedos Botranos: I have given prayer
[offering] for safety of the house.
- (X.0724)