(Theodoros) Chetames (Thoros, son of Hetoum), anthypatos, circa 1050-1070. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 14.49 g, 12 h). O / A/C... - Θ/Є... Saint Theodore, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left hand on shield.
Rev. NЄMOIC / THN XAPIN / [ANΘ]VΠAT[O] / XЄTAMH in four lines, topped by cross; above and below, elaborate decorations. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus 1468. Zacos Sale II (Spink 132, 25 May 1999), 114 corr. (reading corrected by Werner Seibt in BZ 93 [2000], 397 [1536]). A highly interesting seal of this Armenian general, attesting an early stage of his career. Scrape on obverse and some flatness
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, acquired before 2021.
The Armenian officer Theodoros Chetames is mentioned by Michael the Syrian as the first commander of Melitene. He was installed in 1074 by the 'generalissimus', Philaretos Brachamios, amidst the chaos of the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert, during which he bore the Byzantine court dignity of kouropalates. Two decades later, in 1094/95, Theodoros was appointed commander of Edessa by the Seljuk sultan, Tutus, before gaining control of the city for himself (see the seal in Leu Web Auction 9 (2019), 1363), fighting off a Turkish siege in the process. In 1098, a small army of Crusader knights arrived in Edessa, headed by Baldwin of Boulogne. They were welcomed into the city as allies, and Theodoros adopted Baldwin as his son and heir. However, events turned against him, and he was killed in a revolt, perhaps at the instigation of Baldwin, who thus secured Edessa as his own realm. Our seal must date from the start of his career, as anthypatos is a modest court rank. Interestingly, a seal of Theodoros Chetames mentioning the even more modest rank of patrikios appeared in Leu Numismatik Web Auction 17, (2021), 3298.
