205-210

Small steatite icon from Papikio

Σύμμεικτα

• Ζήκος, Νίκος

During the exploratory excavation of a Byzantine monastic complex on Mt Papikio, which forms part of the Rodopi mountain range NW of Komotini, three fragments of a small steatite icon of pale green colour were found. Two of them joined and formed the lower part of the complete frontal figure of a military saint holding what is probably a sword in his right and a shield in his left hand. The third fragment, belonging to a second military saint, preserves the head, cuirass and parts of the arms. Although the inscriptionwith the name of the saint portrayed has not survived, there is no hesitation in identifying the figure with St. Theodoros. The saint is shown frontally and full-figure. His raised right hand held a spear, part of which is preserved, and his left one a shield. Underneath he wears a chiton that ends in a band with plant decoration and is covered by a banded cuirass, over whichthere is a mantle fastened with a buckle at the right shoulder. The original plaque was probably rectangular and depicted three full-figure military saints beneath an arch supported on twotwisted columns. A comparison of the little Papikio icon with other dated plaques shows a series of iconographie and stylistic elements characteristicof the 12th c. The fine workmanship in the rendering of the clothing and the artistic spirit in general which characterisos it, are indications that the icon came from a large centre, most probably Constantinople.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Στεατίτης, Στρατιωτικός άγιος, Παπίκιο Όρος, Ροδόπη

Το άρθρο περιέχει εικόνες.