Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

This is a test environment.

Type 2075
(formerly typ/148)

	Σταυρὸς φύλαξ ἄριστος ἑδραία σκέπη
	τεῖχος ὀχυρὸν, δαίμονας ταρβοῦν ὅπλον∙
	ἑστὼς ἐν ἀρχῇ βιβλίου τοῦδε σκέπει
	διδοὺς ἀρωγὸν χεῖρα τῷ κεκτημένῳ.

Text source	A. Rhoby, 2018, Ausgewählte Byzantinische Epigramme in Illuminierten Handschriften, Wien: 109-110
Text status	Text completely known
Editorial status	Critical text
Genre(s)	Image-related epigram
Metre(s)	Dodecasyllable
Subject(s)	Holy Cross
Tag(s)	Division of the book Miniature Possession
Critical Notes	1 ἑδραία ] ἐδραία ms. 3 ἑστὼς ] ἐστὼς ms.
Translation(s)	The cross is the best guardian, a firm protection, a fortified wall, a frightful weapon against devils; placed at the front of this book it protects, giving a propitious hand to the possessor. Language English Source(s) G. Stuhlfauth 1933, A Greek Psalter with Byzantine Miniatures, The Art Bulletin, 15, 310-326: 318 Das Kreuz, bester Hüter, sicherer Schutz, feste Mauer, Dämonen scheuende Waffe. Am Beginn dieses Buches stehend schützt es und reicht dem Besitzer eine hilfreiche Hand. Language German Source(s) A. Rhoby, 2018, Ausgewählte Byzantinische Epigramme in Illuminierten Handschriften, Wien: 109
Comment	Accompanies a miniature of a cross at the beginning of the book.
Bibliography	Primary A. Cutler, 1984, The Aristocratic Psalters in Byzantium, Paris: 33 Secondary G. Stuhlfauth 1933, A Greek Psalter with Byzantine Miniatures, The Art Bulletin, 15, 310-326: 318
Number of verses	4
Occurrence(s)	[17253] στ(αυ)ρὸς φύλαξ ἄριστος ἐδραία σκέπη [1076-1125] BERLIN - Humboldt-Universität Bibliothek, Abteilung für christliche Archäologie und kirchliche Kunst 3807 [1076-1125] (f. 1r) (4 verses)
Acknowledgements	Contributor(s) Anne-Sophie Rouckhout The credits system has been implemented in 2019. Credits from before the new system was in use might be incomplete.
Identification	BEiÜ IV, DE1 Vassis ICB 2005, 686: "In crucem"
Permalink	http://dev.dbbe.ugent.be/types/2075

Last modified: 2026-01-19.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.