Byzantine lead seal of Chetames,
kouropalates and doux
(ca 11th cent.)

Obverse: Saint Theodore stratelates, nimbate, standing facing, holding a spear in his right hand, and resting his left hand on a shield. Traces of sigla, O A(ΓIOC)/ ΘЄ/O-Δ/Ω-POC = Ὁ ἅγιος Θεόδωρος (Saint Theodoros), all within dotted border.

Reverse: Inscription in 6 lines, partly trimmed, CΦΡΑ/ΓΙCΧΕΤΑ/ΜΗΚΟΥΡΟ/ΠΑΛΑΤΗ/SΔΟΥΚ/Α = Σφραγὶς Χετάμη, κουροπαλάτη καὶ δοῦκα (Seal of Chetames, kouropalates and doux), dotted border.

The present seal belongs to the Armenian Theodoros Chetames, mentioned in Eastern sources as the first commander of Metilene (in noeadays Anatolia, Turkey), who was installed in 1074 by Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos which followed the Battle of Manzikert. In 1094/95 he was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuks, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself. In 1098 he was murdered in Edessa, when the First Crusade had arrived, and was succeeded by Baldwin of Boulogne, the later king of Jerusalem (cf. Cheynet, Sceaux de la collection Zacos, 34. Sandrovskaja/Seibt p. 80, no. 48 and Leu Numismatic Web Auction 9, Lot 1363, for a similar seal of the same person but from different boulloterion).

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 10,9 gram
Diameter: 23,6 mm