Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 14 12-13 Dec 2020
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Eumathios Philokales, protonobellisimos and doux (of Cyprus), 1099-1102. Seal (Lead, 20 mm, 7.08 g, 12 h). [MHP] - ΘV Nimbate Mother of God "Episkepsis", raising both hands in prayer; medallion of Christ in front. Rev. ЄVMAΘION / TON Δ૪KA TⲰN / ΦIΛOKAΛHN / ANⲰRЄΛΛICI/MON ΠAPΘЄNЄ / CKЄΠOIC ("Maiden, may you protect Eumathios Philokales, doux and protonobellisimos") in six lines. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus, 813 (quoting two examples in Dumbarton Oaks). A historically important seal of a Byzantine commander. Minor marks, otherwise, very fine.
In the 1090s, revolts broke out simultaneously on Crete and Cyprus. The revolt on Cyprus was led by a man named Rhapsomatos, who gained the support of the majority of the Byzantine army stationed on the island. The revolt was ended by megas doux John Doukas in 1093 and its leader sent to exile. The owner of our seal, Eumathios Philokales, was installed as commander of Cyprus with the title of stratopedarchos by the emperor Alexios I Komnenos. He held the post of a doux of Cyprus two more times, in 1099-1102 as protonobellisimos (the date of our seal), and once again from 1112 to 1118, having been promoted to sebastos.
In the 1090s, revolts broke out simultaneously on Crete and Cyprus. The revolt on Cyprus was led by a man named Rhapsomatos, who gained the support of the majority of the Byzantine army stationed on the island. The revolt was ended by megas doux John Doukas in 1093 and its leader sent to exile. The owner of our seal, Eumathios Philokales, was installed as commander of Cyprus with the title of stratopedarchos by the emperor Alexios I Komnenos. He held the post of a doux of Cyprus two more times, in 1099-1102 as protonobellisimos (the date of our seal), and once again from 1112 to 1118, having been promoted to sebastos.