Gregorios, vestes, son of Brachamios, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 13.91 g, 12 h). Θ / Θ/Є-Ⲱ/Δ/O Nimbate facing bust of Saint Theodore, holding a spear over his right shoulder, and resting a shield on his left arm. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ / ΓPHΓOPIⲰ / RЄCTH VIⲰ / T૪ RAXA/MIOV ("Lord, help your servant Gregorios, vestes, son of Brachamios") in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Some surface roughness, otherwise, very fine.


The ubiquitous seals of the famous general Philaretos Brachamios may lead to the unwarranted belief that he was the only member of the Brachamios family. However, Cheynet showed in his article on the distinguished Armenian clan (Société p. 377-412) that many Brachamioi are known, starting with Isaac in the 2nd half of the 10th century, with subsequent family members being attested until the later 12th century. Our Gregorios is a hitherto unknown family member, who was the son of a Brachamios