★ The general Andronikos Doukas ★

Andronikos Doukas, protoproedros, protovestiarios and domestikos of the regiments of the East, 1072-1077. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 25.22 g, 12 h). +ΘKЄ ROHΘ, - TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ΛⲰ - M[P] - ΘV The Mother of God, seated on a high-backed throne, holding Christ in front of her. Rev. ANΔPONI/KⲰ ΠΡⲰT,ΠΡ[O/Є]ΔPⲰ Π[PⲰT,/[R]ЄCTIAPI[Ⲱ S] / [Δ]OMЄCTIKⲰ / [T]ⲰN CXOΛⲰ[N / T]HC ANATO/[ΛHC TⲰ Δ]૪K[A] in nine lines. DO Seals II 99.4. Oikonomides, Dated seals 98. Zacos/Veglery 2693c. A seal of great historical interest belonging to a famous Byzantine general. Some flatness and scrapes, otherwise, very fine.

Ex Leu Web Auction 19, 26-28 February 2022, 3464 and previously from a European collection, acquired before 2021.

Andronikos was the son of John Doukas, "the Kaisar", and Eirene Pegonitissa. He was thus also a nephew of the emperor, Constantine X (1059-1067), and a cousin of Michael VII (1071-1078). He was married to Maria of Bulgaria, a granddaughter of tsar Ivan Vladislav. As commander of the rearguard, Andronikos played a major role in the battle of Manzikert (1071), which proved to be a disaster for the Byzantine Empire, not least because the emperor, Romanos IV Diogenes (1068-1071), was captured by the Seljuks. With the ascension of his cousin, Michael VII, as emperor, Andronikos' family regained control of the throne. During Michael's reign, Andronikos engaged in battle with the former emperor, Romanos IV, and with the Norman rebel commander Roussel de Bailleul. Andronikos was wounded during this last encounter, but he was released to seek treatment in the Capital. He died in 1077 of oedema.