Pothos Monomachos, orphanotrophos and judge of the Armeniakon theme, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 9.77 g, 11 h). Circular legend +KЄ R[OHΘ Tω Cω Δ...ΠOΘO]. In fields, Θ / Γ/Є-ω/P/Γ ("Lord, help your servant Pothos") Nimbate facing bust of Saint George, wearing jeweled chlamys and holding martyr's cross in his right hand. Rev. [OPΦAN]/[TP]OΦω KPI/[TH] TωN APMЄ/[N]IAKωN Tω / MONOMA/Xω in five lines. DO Seals IV 22.18. Nesbitt, "The Orphanotrophos" in SBS 8 p. 51-62, fig. 8. Very fine.

An orphanotrophos was the director of the orphanotropheion, the imperial orphanage in Constantinopolis, which was established in the 4th century. The office was one of the most important administrative positions in the capital. Our sources tell us that several orphanotrophoi combined their office with a provincial appointment, perhaps because they wanted to farm out one or the other. Our Pothos Monomachos followed this habit, as he also held the judicial office in the Armeniakon theme