Samuel Alousianos, proedros and doux, circa 1070-1090. Seal (Lead, 33 mm, 21.54 g, 12 h). +ΘKЄ ROHΘ, Tω Cω Δ૪Λω ('Mother of God, help your servant') Theotokos seated facing on high-backed, cushioned throne holding nimbate infant Christ in front of her. Rev. CAMOVHΛ / ΠPOЄΔPω / KAI ΔOVKI / Tω AΛOV/CIANω in five lines; decorations above and on last line. Jordanov, Corpus II no. 25. Stavrakos 9. Wassiliou/Seibt, BBÖ II p. 244, n. 42. Cf. Seibt/Zarnitz 3.1.9 for a similar type of the same individual. A large and impressive seal of great interest. Light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.

Samuel Alousianos was a grandson of the Bulgarian tsar Ivan Vladislav who had familial ties to the Byzantine emperor, as his sister was the first wife of Romanus IV Diogenes. In 1069, as commander of the five western tagmata, wintering in the Armenian themes, he was ordered to attack the Frankish rebel mercenary commander Robert Crispin, or Krispinos. The Byzantine forces were ambushed and defeated, but Samuel survived to rise to the rank of proedros