Cyrillic Inscription on a Lead Tablet from Fatničko Polje: A Contribution to the Study of Medieval Bosnian Amulets

Abstract

This paper presents the reading and analysis of the apotropaic Cyrillic inscription from a lead tablet stored in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina under inventory number 807. The tablet was found at the end of the 19th century at the ruins of the old church in Fatničko Polje (Fatnica Field) near Bileća, on the property of Jovan Popara. It was sent to the National Museum by the District Office of Bileća in 1895. It is a damaged amulet whose content is the prayer of St. Tryphon against infestations of pests that attack fields, gardens and vineyards. This paper, in addition to presenting a reading and transliteration of the text, comments on
the script and language of the inscription, and its content is placed in the context of similar Slavic apocryphal texts. A comparison of the Fatnica inscription with other available copies of this prayer showed that this record best matches the text of a prayer in the collection of apocrypha from the Savina monastery (XVI–XVII), on the basis of which it can be assumed that such apocrypha were widespread in medieval Bosnia.