The Eleventh-Twelfth Century Silver Medallion from Nizhnii Arkhyz

Abstract

This article analyses one of the few items of fine Christian plastic art originating from the territory of Alania. This round medallion with side loops and two-side image of saints was found in 1986 in Nizhnii Arkhyz, the capital of the Alan bishopric, in the area of the Northern Zelenchuk Church, in one of the four burials in cists. Currently, the medallion resides in the State Karachay-­Cherkessia Historical, Cultural, and Natural Museum Preserve (Cherkessk). The article supplies the description of the medallion and suggests that the images on its sides belong to SS Theodore Stratelates and Theodore Teron. This assumption seems preferable especially if one assumes that the person who ordered this medallion was called Theodore. This medallion was secondary used as pectoral pendant; it is more likely that initially it formed a part of wrist bracelet. Presumably, the medallion in the bracelet was made in a provincial city of the Byzantine Empire, whence it was delivered to Alania. Since direct parallels to the medallion in question are absent, only its large dating is possible as the eleventh or twelfth century.