★ Sarkis, the Armenian form of 'Sergios' ★

Sarkis (Armenian 'Sergios'), protospatharios and vestiarites, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 21 mm, 12.00 g, 12 h). +KЄ / ROHΘH / CAPKH in three lines, decorations above and below. Rev. ACΠΘ, / KЄ RHC/CTHAP,/TH in four lines, decoration above. Unpublished in the standard references. Apparently unique in attesting the Armenian name Sarkis on a Byzantine seal. Good very fine.

From a European collection, acquired before 2021.

The name Sarkis is the Armenian form of 'Sergios'. A famous Sarkis in Armenian history is the katholikos of the Apostolic Church (992-1019). The Sarkis who was the owner of this seal holds the court rank of protospatharios. He was attached to the vestiarion, the imperial wardrobe and treasury, likely as the commander or a high-ranking officer of the elite gaurd protecting it.