E01388: Seals with invocations in Greek, and depictions of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), as the God Bearer. Found in the ruins of Gortyna (south Crete). Probably 6th-8th c.

Seal 1:

Diameter 0.02 m.
Inscription on the obverse, written as a cross-like monogram: (Θωμᾶ)/'(Of Thomas)'
Reverse: Mary holding the Christ Child, flanked by two crosses.

Seal 2:

Diameter c. 0.018 m.
Inscription on the obverse, written as a cross-like monogram: (Θεοτόκε, βοήθι)/'(O God-Bearer, help!)
Inscription on the reverse, written as a cross-like monogram: (N Z Y OY) Guarducci or (Π Ν Ζ Υ ΟΥ) Xanthoudides

The editors supposed that the second monogram noted the name of the owner of the seal, but did not attempt to expand it. Perhaps a form of the name Zeno is meant.

Seal 3:

Diameter 0.023 m.
Inscription on the obverse: Θεοτ(όκε) βοήθ(ι)/'O God-Bearer, help!' accompanied by a depiction of Mary, standing and holding the Christ Child.
Inscription on the reverse, written as a cross-like monogram carried by an eagle between his wings: Σεργίου/'Of Sergios'

Seal 4:

Diameter 0.028 m.
On the obverse: depiction of Mary holding the Child Christ, flanked by two crosses.
Inscription on the reverse:

+ Σ[τ]-
̣εφάν-
ου στρ-
ατ(ηγοῦ)

'+ Of Stephanos, strategos'