★ Byzantine seal of Theodoros (Thoros) Chetames kouropalates, doux of Melitene (Armenia) ★

Byzantine seal of Theodoros (Thoros) Chetames kouropalates,
doux of Melitene (Armenia) (ca 1074). Of the finest quality and highly important historically seal!

Diam.: mm Weight: gr. Condition: A scrape on Obv., slighlty off-centered upwards, otherwise Extremely Fine, as in photos, with beautiful natural cream patina.

Obverse: Saint martyr Theodore standing facial and nimbate, wearing military garments, holding spear in his right and resting his left on a shield, sigla, [Ο ΑΓΙΟCΘΕΟ]-ΔΟΡΟC (Saint Theodore), all within dotted border.

Reverse: Inscription in 7 lines, [+ΟΜΩΝΥ][Μ]ΟΝCΟΝΔ[ΟΥ]/ΚΑΚΟΥΡΟΠΑΛ[Α]/ΤΗΝΜΑΡΤVC/ΧΕΤΑΜΗΝΤΟ/ΝΜΕΛΙΤΙΝΗC/CΚΕΠΟΙC = Ὁμώνυμον σόν, δοῦκα κουροπαλάτην, μάρτυς, Χετάμην τὸν Μελιτινῆς, σκέποις (Μartyr [Theodore], may you protect your namesake, Chetames kouropalates and doux of Melitene), all within dotted border.

Commentary: Sandrovskaja/Seibt 62. Spink 132 (Zacos sale II), 130. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus II, 1618. A very important seal of great historical interest, beautifully preserved. The Armenian officer Theodoros Chetames is mentioned by Michael the Syrian as the first commander of Melitene. He was installed in 1074 by the 'generalissimus' Philaretos Brachamios amidst the chaos in the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert, when he bore the Byzantine court dignity of kouropalates, as evidenced by our seal. Two decades later, in 1094/95, Theodoros was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuk sultan Tutus, but proceeded to gain control of the city for himself (see the seal in Leu Web Auction 9 (2019), 1363), fighting off a Turkish siege in the process. In 1098, a small army of Crusader knights arrived in Edessa, headed by Baldwin of Boulogne. They were greeted into the city as allies, and Theodoros adopted Baldwin as his son and heir. However, events turned against him, and he was killed in a revolt, perhaps at the instigation of Baldwin, who thus secured Edessa as his own realm.

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 12.7 gr
Diameter: 25 mm