Synesios, imperial spatharios and basilikos of the Armenian Themes, 1st half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 6.51 g, 6 h). +ΘKЄ ROH[Θ]ЄI TⲰ CⲰ Δ, - MHP - ΘV Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, facing, both hands half-raised before her, palms outwards. Rev. +CVNЄ/CIⲰ R' CΠA/Θ,P, S R’ TⲰN / APMЄNK’ / ΘЄMAT, in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Minor marks, otherwise, very fine.


The Armenian Themes, not to be confused with the Armeniakon theme in northern Asia Minor, comprised a network of several small regions along the eastern border of the empire, mostly fortresses with their hinterland. These districts were under the command of tourmarchai and minor strategoi, and in the 11th century, we even find a general strategos of all the 'Armenian Themes'. Most of the seals belonging to fiscal officials, judges and bureaucrats serving in the Armenian Themes belong to this period. Another 'basilikos' of the Armenian Themes, named Paulos, is published in DO Seals IV, no. 56.3.