Barlaam, monk and bishop of Ariaratheia, second half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 17 mm, 4.70 g). MHP ΘV Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, with both hands half-raised before her, palms outward. Rev. ΘKЄ R,Θ, / RAPΛAAM / AX ЄΠ,CKOΠ, / AP,AΘH/C in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A beautiful episcopal seal of great historical interest. Minor marks, otherwise, good very fine.


The bishopric 'Arathe' mentioned on this highly interesting seal is that of Ariaratheia in Cappadocia, which was also referred to as Ariathes and Ariarathes in the Notitiae Episcopatuum. According to Stephanos, Ariaratheia was founded by King Ariarathes IV of Cappadocia (circa 220-163 BC) as his eponymous capital. Situated on the Karmalas river (modern Zamantı) at the site of the modern city of Pınarbaşı, Ariaratheia occupied a strategic river crossing and was assigned to the province of Armenia Minor in Roman times. As the bishop of Ariaratheia, Barlaam was a suffragan to the metropolis of Caesarea and to Melitene.