Ares Numismatics
Web Auction 3 20 Oct 2019
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Lead seal of Theodoros Chetames (Thoros, son of Hetoum), doux and strategos (end of 11th cent.).
Obverse: Saint Theodore stratelates, nimbate, standing facing, holding a spear in his right hand, and resting his left hand on a shield. Columnar inscription: O A(ΓIOC)/ ΘЄ/O-Δ/Ω-POC Ο/ΣΤΡ(Α)/Τ(ΗΛΑΤΗC) = Ὁ ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ στρατηλάτης (Saint Theodoros the stratelates), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines (the first trimmed): .../.. ΚΑΙ Τ../CΦΡΑΓ(ΙΖΩ) ΧΕ[ΤΑΜ?]/ΔOYΚΙ C[ΤΡΑ]/ΤΗΓΟ {ΤΗΓΟ}/ΠΟΙ.Κ../ΡΟΜ = [Γραφὰς καὶ λόγους?] σφραγίζω Χετὰμ δουκὶ στρατηγῷ ... (I seal the words and documents of Chetam doux and strategos...).
Most probably the seal belongs to the Armenian Theodoros Chetames, mentioned in Eastern sources as the first commander of Metilene, who was installed in 1074 by Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos which followed the Battle of Manzikert. In 1094/95 he was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuks, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself. In 1098 he was murdered in Edessa, when the First Crusade had arrived, and was succeeded by Baldwin of Boulogne, the later king of Jerusalem (cf. Cheynet, Sceaux de la collection Zacos, 34. Sandrovskaja/Seibt p. 80, no. 48 and Leu Numismatic Web Auction 9, Lot 1363, for a similar seal of the same person but form a different boulloterion).
Condition: Somewhat trimmed and partly off-centered, otherwise about VF. Attractive natural patina.
Weight: 17.56 gr
Diameter: 26 mm
Obverse: Saint Theodore stratelates, nimbate, standing facing, holding a spear in his right hand, and resting his left hand on a shield. Columnar inscription: O A(ΓIOC)/ ΘЄ/O-Δ/Ω-POC Ο/ΣΤΡ(Α)/Τ(ΗΛΑΤΗC) = Ὁ ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ στρατηλάτης (Saint Theodoros the stratelates), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines (the first trimmed): .../.. ΚΑΙ Τ../CΦΡΑΓ(ΙΖΩ) ΧΕ[ΤΑΜ?]/ΔOYΚΙ C[ΤΡΑ]/ΤΗΓΟ {ΤΗΓΟ}/ΠΟΙ.Κ../ΡΟΜ = [Γραφὰς καὶ λόγους?] σφραγίζω Χετὰμ δουκὶ στρατηγῷ ... (I seal the words and documents of Chetam doux and strategos...).
Most probably the seal belongs to the Armenian Theodoros Chetames, mentioned in Eastern sources as the first commander of Metilene, who was installed in 1074 by Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos which followed the Battle of Manzikert. In 1094/95 he was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuks, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself. In 1098 he was murdered in Edessa, when the First Crusade had arrived, and was succeeded by Baldwin of Boulogne, the later king of Jerusalem (cf. Cheynet, Sceaux de la collection Zacos, 34. Sandrovskaja/Seibt p. 80, no. 48 and Leu Numismatic Web Auction 9, Lot 1363, for a similar seal of the same person but form a different boulloterion).
Condition: Somewhat trimmed and partly off-centered, otherwise about VF. Attractive natural patina.
Weight: 17.56 gr
Diameter: 26 mm