Lead plate with the name of Bishop Theodore found in Serdica
Lead plate with the name of Bishop Theodore found in Serdica

Summary/Abstract: The work presents an interesting artefact discovered during of archaeological excavations in the central part of ancient Serdica. It is a lead plate with an irregular rectangular shape with dimensions: maximum length of 23, 11 mm; maximum width of 18, 35 mm; 3 mm thick and weight of 9.56 g. There is a reason to assume that the present shape of the plate was obtained after a secondary treatment, which is evident from its surface. A block-type monogram is placed in a circular field on both sides of the plate.Obverse: Block monogram. δ - ε - θ - ο - ρ - υ – ω(Θεοδώρου) Reverse: Block monogramε - ι - κ - ο - π - σ – υ(ἐπισκόπου) Translation: Θεοδώρου ἐπισκόπου - (Seal of) Theodore bishop The importance of the published artefact is enhanced by the fact that in 1936 during the excavations in Caričin Grad (Justiniana Prima) a seal was found which has the same monograms and inscription style like the ones of the plate found in Serdica. The newly found lead plate in Serdica with the name of Bishop Theodore is an important discovery for the late antique history and sigillography of the Balkans from the period of 6th beginning of 7th century.

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