Bucephalus Numismatic
Black Auction 15 10-11 Feb 2023
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PB seal of Katakalon Kekaumenos, kouropalates and doux of Armeniakon and Koloneia (1057-1059).
Obv: The Archangel Michael holding the sceptre and globus cruciger. Traces of inscription at right: [Μ(ι)χ(αήλ)]. Border of dots.
Rev: Inscription of eight lines, decoration above and below: [...] Κατακα[λὼν] κουροπαλ[άτῃ καὶ] δουκὶ Ἀρμ[ε]νιακοῦ (καὶ) Κο[λω]νείας τῷ Κεκαυμέν(ῳ). Border of dots.
Translation: [Lord, help your servant] Katakalon Kekaumenos, kouropalates and doux of Armeniakon and Koloneia.
A very important seal of great historical interest.
Katakalon Kekaumenos was a prominent Byzantine general of the mid-11th century, fighting battles practically everywhere in the empire. He actively supported the uprising of Isaac Komnenos in 1057, and was rewarded with the title of kouropalates (κουροπαλάτης, Lat. cura palatii: [the one in] charge of the palace); see, ODB, "Katakalon Kekaumenos" (C. M. Brand, A. Kazhdan). For his very rare seal as magistros and doux of Antioch, see Leu 5, 582.
This is the first known seal of him bearing the title of kuropalates and doux of Armeniakon and Koloneia. Scholars have often been skeptical of Katakalon Kekaumenos' career in his birthplace, Koloneia; The editors of PBW (Katakalon 101) did not include Koloneia in his career. However, this seal also proves that Katakalon Kekaumenos was dux in that theme. Cf. P. Charalampakis, Short Notes on the Prosopography of the Byzantine Theme of Koloneia (Part I), Karen 2016 2/2, 13, footnote 53; Λεβενιώτης, 2007: 569, no. 137, 537 and 573, no. 156; Βλυσίδου & al., 1998: 485–486, no. 6 [1057-1059].
Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).
Condition: Near Very Fine.
Weight: 24.72 g.
Diameter: 33.4 mm.
Obv: The Archangel Michael holding the sceptre and globus cruciger. Traces of inscription at right: [Μ(ι)χ(αήλ)]. Border of dots.
Rev: Inscription of eight lines, decoration above and below: [...] Κατακα[λὼν] κουροπαλ[άτῃ καὶ] δουκὶ Ἀρμ[ε]νιακοῦ (καὶ) Κο[λω]νείας τῷ Κεκαυμέν(ῳ). Border of dots.
Translation: [Lord, help your servant] Katakalon Kekaumenos, kouropalates and doux of Armeniakon and Koloneia.
A very important seal of great historical interest.
Katakalon Kekaumenos was a prominent Byzantine general of the mid-11th century, fighting battles practically everywhere in the empire. He actively supported the uprising of Isaac Komnenos in 1057, and was rewarded with the title of kouropalates (κουροπαλάτης, Lat. cura palatii: [the one in] charge of the palace); see, ODB, "Katakalon Kekaumenos" (C. M. Brand, A. Kazhdan). For his very rare seal as magistros and doux of Antioch, see Leu 5, 582.
This is the first known seal of him bearing the title of kuropalates and doux of Armeniakon and Koloneia. Scholars have often been skeptical of Katakalon Kekaumenos' career in his birthplace, Koloneia; The editors of PBW (Katakalon 101) did not include Koloneia in his career. However, this seal also proves that Katakalon Kekaumenos was dux in that theme. Cf. P. Charalampakis, Short Notes on the Prosopography of the Byzantine Theme of Koloneia (Part I), Karen 2016 2/2, 13, footnote 53; Λεβενιώτης, 2007: 569, no. 137, 537 and 573, no. 156; Βλυσίδου & al., 1998: 485–486, no. 6 [1057-1059].
Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).
Condition: Near Very Fine.
Weight: 24.72 g.
Diameter: 33.4 mm.