Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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Gilialmos (Guillaume), Patrikios and Strategos, 2nd half of the 11th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 12.71 g, 12 h). ΜΑΡ - ΘV The Theotokos, nimbate, seated facing on a high-backed throne, holding a medallion bearing the bust of the infant Jesus on her lap. Rev. +ΘKE RO / HΘ TO CO OI / KETH ΓHΛH / AΛMO ΠPI / S CTPATH / Γω in six lines. Istanbul 2.238 (same dies?, but partially damaged). Nicely centered, clear and well-preserved. Very rare in the name of a Byzantine official of western-European origin. Nearly extremely fine.
This seal is one of a relatively small number of Byzantine seals that are in the name of an official of western European origin; in this case (William), perhaps, an English- or Norseman. Since, aside from the title strategos, there is nothing overtly 'military' about this seal, - we do not have a military saint like Demetrios or George, and there are no weapons used as ornaments above or below the inscription - we cannot assume that the owner of this seal was, as the name might suggest, a member of the Varangian Guard; but it is, nevertheless, a tempting thought. In any case, the important civil and military/civil titles Gilialmos has (patrician and strategos = general or civil commander) ought to indicate that, as a Westerner, he must have been both highly talented and fully trusted.
This seal is one of a relatively small number of Byzantine seals that are in the name of an official of western European origin; in this case (William), perhaps, an English- or Norseman. Since, aside from the title strategos, there is nothing overtly 'military' about this seal, - we do not have a military saint like Demetrios or George, and there are no weapons used as ornaments above or below the inscription - we cannot assume that the owner of this seal was, as the name might suggest, a member of the Varangian Guard; but it is, nevertheless, a tempting thought. In any case, the important civil and military/civil titles Gilialmos has (patrician and strategos = general or civil commander) ought to indicate that, as a Westerner, he must have been both highly talented and fully trusted.