Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 17 14-16 Aug 2021
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Theodoros Chetames (Thoros, son of Hetoum), patrikios, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 8.95 g, 12 h). O / AΓ/[I]/O - Θ/Є/Ⲱ/Δ/[O]/P-[O,] Saint Theodore, nimbate, standing facing, holding a spear in his right hand and resting his left hand on a shield. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / [Θ]ЄⲰΔO/[P]O ΠΡH / [T,] XЄTA/MH in five lines. Apparently unpublished. Minor striking weakness, otherwise, good very fine.
The Armenian officer Theodoros Chetames is mentioned by Michael the Syrian as the first commander of Melitene. He was installed in 1074 by the 'generalissimus' Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos in the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert, when he bore the Byzantine court dignity of kouropalates. Two decades later, in 1094/95, Theodoros was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuk sultan Tutus, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself (see the seal in Leu Web Auction 9 (2019), 1363), fighting off a Turkish siege in the process. In 1098, a small army of Crusader knights arrived in Edessa, headed by Baldwin of Boulogne. They were welcomed into the city as allies, and Theodoros adopted Baldwin as his son and heir. However, events turned against him, and he was killed in a revolt, perhaps at the instigation of Baldwin, who thus secured Edessa as his own realm. Our seal must date from the start of his career, as patrikios is the lowest dignity hitherto attested on his seals.
The Armenian officer Theodoros Chetames is mentioned by Michael the Syrian as the first commander of Melitene. He was installed in 1074 by the 'generalissimus' Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos in the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert, when he bore the Byzantine court dignity of kouropalates. Two decades later, in 1094/95, Theodoros was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuk sultan Tutus, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself (see the seal in Leu Web Auction 9 (2019), 1363), fighting off a Turkish siege in the process. In 1098, a small army of Crusader knights arrived in Edessa, headed by Baldwin of Boulogne. They were welcomed into the city as allies, and Theodoros adopted Baldwin as his son and heir. However, events turned against him, and he was killed in a revolt, perhaps at the instigation of Baldwin, who thus secured Edessa as his own realm. Our seal must date from the start of his career, as patrikios is the lowest dignity hitherto attested on his seals.