Unknown Military Saint |
This un-named military saint (Jerphanion notes that the words O AGIOS (the saint . . .) are all that are visible of his inscription) is equipped in a similar fashion to the figures in the frieze. Like Saint Bebianos and the two mounted figures he carries a bamboo spear. However, he seems to be alone in having a round shield by his side. This is either plain except for a patterned rim, or else (and in my opinion more likely, as this is the way it would naturally be held) the back of the shield faces the viewer. |
This figure wears a torso covering similar to those of Saints Esukhios, Eliakos and perhaps Bebianos in the frieze, but there seem to be traces, perhaps on a layer underneath, of plates of scale or lamellar armour. Like the others, he has short armour sleeves (in this case apparently scale) covering the upper arm just below the shoulder. |
The kremasmata seem to be of scales - perhaps leather, or else gilded metal. The plates overlap downwards, and each row is offset from the one above as is usual in representations of scale armour. |
I would hazard a guess that this saint is wearing calf-length kampotoubia, rather than boots, as there appears to be a line at the ankles suggesting a discontinuity between the legs and the footwear. It is hard to be sure, but the kampotoubia appear to be patterned. |