Obolos 43

Latin Rulers of Constantinople. Trachy (Bronze, 31.5 mm, 2.59 g, 6 h), Constantinople. MHP ΘV HAΓIO[COPITICA] Full-length figure of Theotokos Hagiosoritissa, nimbate and orans, wearing tunic and maphorion; Manus Dei blesses from above. Rev. O AΓIOC ΠЄT[POC] O AΓIOC [ΠAVΛOC] Full-length figures of Saints Peter and Paul, nimbate and bearded, wearing tunic and kolobion, embracing each other; Saint Peter to the right with short beard, Saint Paul to the left with long beard. SB 2040. LBC 78-80. DOC IV LI 20. Green patina. Very fine.

This interesting Latin type issued early into the occupation of Constantinople reflects a popular iconographical scene in both Western and Eastern Christian artistic traditions. Saint Peter, himself princeps apostolorum, founded the See of Rome and was martyred therein. Saint Paul, the pharisaic latecomer, nevertheless compensanted for his belated arrival with the brilliant articulation of Christian theology. He too was martyred in the eternal city. Presumably, the brotherly saints in a fraternal embrace reflected a neutral and accetable type for both Western and Eastern audiences, perhaps while also subtly acknowleging the deep ties that these two apostolic giants have with the city of Rome, Papacy, and Latin Rite.

Quo vadis, Domine?