Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 102 3 Nov 2022
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Byzantine Iconographic PB Seal in the name of Theognostos Melissenos, vestarches and strategos of Velouchi. Circa 11th - 13th century AD. Half-length bust of the Mother of God Hodegetria facing, holding Christ; MP-ΘV across fields; all within border of dots / ΘΚЄRΘ, [Θ]ЄΟΓΝѠCΤ, [Β]ЄCΤ[Α]ΡΧ,S [C]ΤΡΑΤΗΓ,Τ૪ [R]ЄΛ૪ΧΤѠ ΜЄΛΙCΙΝ in six lines, ornament above, cross below; all within border of dots. Translation: Mother of God, help Theognostos Melissenos, vestarches and strategos of Velouchi. Unpublished in the standard references but cf., D. Theodoridis, "Theognostos Melissenos, katepan von Mesopotamia" in Byzantinische Zeitschrift 78 (1985), σελ. 363-364 for another seal of Theognostos Melissenos. 26.47g, 32mm, 11h.
Condition as seen.
A seal of the Melissenoi, one of the oldest known noble families of the middle Byzantine period. The owner of this seal might be the brother of Leon Melissenos, who supported the aristocratic revolt of Bardas Phocas in the early reign of Basil II (976-1025), or the Theognostos who commanded the katepano of Mesopotamia in the east of the empire around 1055 (Theodoridis, see references).
The title or place name being referred to on this seal appears to read RЄΛ૪Χ (Velouchi). This is not attested to on other seals of the Melissenoi in the standard references or in the list of Byzantine themes (districts). If the reading of the word RЄΛ૪Χ is correct, then this might refer to the highest peak of the Tymfristos mountain in the eastern part of Evrytania and the western part of Phthiotis in Greece. A branch of the Melissenoi are known to have settled close by in Epirus by the 13th century and Velouchi may have been an area of strategic importance.
Condition as seen.
A seal of the Melissenoi, one of the oldest known noble families of the middle Byzantine period. The owner of this seal might be the brother of Leon Melissenos, who supported the aristocratic revolt of Bardas Phocas in the early reign of Basil II (976-1025), or the Theognostos who commanded the katepano of Mesopotamia in the east of the empire around 1055 (Theodoridis, see references).
The title or place name being referred to on this seal appears to read RЄΛ૪Χ (Velouchi). This is not attested to on other seals of the Melissenoi in the standard references or in the list of Byzantine themes (districts). If the reading of the word RЄΛ૪Χ is correct, then this might refer to the highest peak of the Tymfristos mountain in the eastern part of Evrytania and the western part of Phthiotis in Greece. A branch of the Melissenoi are known to have settled close by in Epirus by the 13th century and Velouchi may have been an area of strategic importance.