Michael Maurex, proedros and doux of Antioch, circa 1070-1080. Seal (Lead, 30 mm, 15.32 g, 12 h). Θ / Γ/Є-Ⲱ/P/Γ, Nimbate facing bust of Saint George, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield on his left arm . Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ / MIXAHΛ ΠPO/ЄΔPⲰ S Δ૪KI / ANTIOX, TⲰ / MAVPIKI in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Cf. BBÖ I, p. 170, note 18 (kouropalates and doux of Antioch) and Cheynet, Zacos Genève 93 (Michael Maurex, proedros and doux). An impressive seal of an important Byzantine general. Some surface roughness, otherwise, good very fine.


Michael Maurex was an important military commander of the second half of the 11th century. He started his career in circa 1050 as imperial ostiarios, which indicates he was a eunuch, and he can be seen advancing his military career through various important military commands. His seals show him as strategos of Chios, katepano of Dyrrhachium, and doux of Boukellarion and Antioch. This last command is mentioned on a seal in the Hermitage (quoted in BBÖ I, p. 170, note 18), but with the title of kouropalates, the highest court dignity attested for Michael Maurex. Our seal, which seems to be unpublished, proves that he already received this important eastern command as a proedros. The equation of the general Michael Maurex, known from the seals, with the admiral and magnate Maurex who is mentioned in the narrative sources is very likely. This admiral is known for a successful naval campaign against Norman forces in Italy in the 1060s and later, in 1085, for preventing reinforcements from reaching the army of Robert Guiscard by blockading the straits between Italy and Epiros in collaboration with the Venetian fleet. Werner Seibt argues that the two are the same person, and that Michael Maurex was active as a naval commander in Italy during his command as katepano of Dyrrachium. Cheynet also thinks the admiral and the general are “without doubt” the same Maurex.