★ An important Byzantine general of Arab heritage ★

Chamdounios, son of Chamdounios, vestarches and strategos, 2nd half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 28 mm, 12.66 g, 12 h). Θ / ΘЄ/O/[Δ/Ⲱ]-PO, O [ CT,/T,] Saint Theodore Stratelates, nimbate, standing facing, holding a spear in his right hand, and resting his left hand on shield. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ ΔOV(Λ) / XAMΔOVNIⲰ / RЄ CT APX K CTP … in six lines. BBÖ II p. 273, note 214, citing a seal sold in Sternberg XXIV (1990), 384 (same dies). An interesting seal naming an important Byzantine general of Arab heritage. Halved, otherwise, very fine.

From an important collection of Roman and Byzantine seals, tesserae and amulets, formed before 2021.

Chamdounios is the graecized form of the common Arabic name Hamdan (“praise”).