Ares Numismatics
Web Auction 1 23 Aug 2019
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Lead Seal of Michael protoproedros and dux of Mesopotamia (11th cent.), Obverse: Saint Theodore en face, full-lenght, nimbate, wearing military garments, holding spear in his right hand and shield in his left. Columnar inscription in either side: Ο Α(ΓΙΟΣ) [ΘΕΟ]/ ΔΟΡΟC (Saint Theodoros).
Reverse: Inscription in 6 lines: +/ CΦΡΑΓΙC/ ΜΙΧΑΗΛ Α´ (=ΠΡΩΤΟ)/ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΩ S (=ΚΑΙ)/ ΔΟΥΚΙ Μ[ΕC]/ ΟΠΟΤΑΜ/ ΙΑC (+ The seal of Michael protoproedros and dux [governor] of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia (Greek: Μεσοποταμία) was the name of a Byzantine theme (a military-civilian province) located in what is today eastern Turkey. It should not be confused with the region of Mesopotamia or with the older Roman and early Byzantine province of Mesopotamia. The Byzantine theme was located between the rivers Arsanias (modern Murat) and Çimisgezek. The theme was formed probably between 899 and 911, when Emperor Leo VI the Wise (r. 886–912) appointed the former strategos of the Charsianon, named Orestes, as its governor. Most of the province was formed out the Armenian principality of Takis, ruled by the chieftain Manuel. Manuel and his four sons were persuaded to cede their territory to the Byzantine Empire in exchange for titles and estates in other themes.
Bibliography: McGeer, Eric; Nesbitt, John W.; Oikonomides, Nicolas, eds. (2001), Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 4: The East. Washington, District of Columbia: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.
12.56
Very Fine
From a Private UK Collection.
Reverse: Inscription in 6 lines: +/ CΦΡΑΓΙC/ ΜΙΧΑΗΛ Α´ (=ΠΡΩΤΟ)/ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΩ S (=ΚΑΙ)/ ΔΟΥΚΙ Μ[ΕC]/ ΟΠΟΤΑΜ/ ΙΑC (+ The seal of Michael protoproedros and dux [governor] of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia (Greek: Μεσοποταμία) was the name of a Byzantine theme (a military-civilian province) located in what is today eastern Turkey. It should not be confused with the region of Mesopotamia or with the older Roman and early Byzantine province of Mesopotamia. The Byzantine theme was located between the rivers Arsanias (modern Murat) and Çimisgezek. The theme was formed probably between 899 and 911, when Emperor Leo VI the Wise (r. 886–912) appointed the former strategos of the Charsianon, named Orestes, as its governor. Most of the province was formed out the Armenian principality of Takis, ruled by the chieftain Manuel. Manuel and his four sons were persuaded to cede their territory to the Byzantine Empire in exchange for titles and estates in other themes.
Bibliography: McGeer, Eric; Nesbitt, John W.; Oikonomides, Nicolas, eds. (2001), Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 4: The East. Washington, District of Columbia: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.
12.56
Very Fine
From a Private UK Collection.