E01770: Bronze medallion with a depiction of an unspecified holy rider and inscription with Psalm 90/91. Reportedly found near Tyre (west Phoenicia). Probably late antique.

A bronze medallion with a hole, designed to be worn around the neck. 'Shaped like the head-end of a tenpenny cut nail, with the upper part of the head convex and having rounded corners' (as described by Hall 1896, cxv). Max. L. 3.7 cm; Th. 0.4 cm. Decorated with a depiction of a holy rider, piercing a demon resembling an animal. There is no published photograph or drawing of the object, or its decoration. Reportedly found near Tyre.

Kept in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. A description by Isaac Hall, Curator of the Metropolitan Museum, was first read at the meeting of the American Oriental Society 29-31 March 1894, and then published in 1896. The object was commented on by T.F. Wright in 1895.

Inscription (written on the sides of the object):

ἅγιος Κύριος,
Ἰουλιάνῳ
τῷ δούλου σ-
ου τῷ φορõντι,
ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν βοηθίᾳ
τῶ ὑψίστω, βοήθι

4. φορõντι = φοροῦντι, φοροητι Wright Hall || 6. τῷ ὑψίστῳ Hall

'O Holy Lord, help Ioulianos, your servant, who is wearing (it), you that dwell in the aid of the most High!'

or:

'O Holy Lord, help Ioulianos, your servant, who is wearing (it), who dwells in the aid of the most High!'

Text: Wright 1895, 124, lightly modified.