Kakikios Aniotes (Gagik II, king of Ani), protoproedros, epi tou koitonos and protodoux of Charsianon, circa 1072. Seal (Lead, 38 mm, 46.52 g, 11 h). +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ / KAKIKON / ΠPⲰT,ΠP,/ЄΔPN in five lines, decorations above. Rev. ЄΠI T૪ / KOITⲰN,C / S AΔ૪K XA[P]/CIAN૪ T[O] / ANⲰT, in five lines, decorations above. Cheynet, Theodoridis 6 var. (legend spacing). An exceptionally important seal of the last Bagratuni Armenian king. Beautifully struck and very well preserved. Very minor weakness, otherwise, about extremely fine.



Gagik II ruled as the king of Armenia from 1042 to 1045, holding court in the capital city of Ani. He was the final monarch of the Bagratuni dynasty, which had governed Armenia since 885, although the family's origins trace back even further, to their tenure as vassals of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia (331 BC-428 AD). In the years preceding Gagik's ascension, the Byzantine Empire had gradually expanded its control over Armenian territories through annexations and, sometimes, coerced bequests from Armenian princes. In 1021, Gagik’s father, Yovhannēs-Smbat, was compelled to designate Byzantine Emperor Basil II as his heir. This arrangement sparked a violent conflict with Byzantium two decades later when the empire asserted its claim over the kingdom upon Yovhannēs-Smbat’s death in 1040. At the time, Gagik was only fourteen years old. Despite Byzantine attempts to seize control, Armenian forces emerged victorious and crowned Gagik II in 1042.

However, Armenia faced another threat from the east: the Seljuk Turks. Initially successful in repelling their advances, the young Gagik earned the epithet 'the Lion' for his bravery and military victories. Eventually, pressured by the Seljuks, Gagik sought Byzantine assistance and offered to become a vassal. The Byzantine emperor rejected this proposal and launched further campaigns to conquer Armenia, but these efforts were thwarted by Armenian resistance. Ultimately, Gagik lost his kingdom through deception. Invited to Constantinople to negotiate a treaty, he was instead imprisoned, allowing Byzantium to annex Ani in his absence.

During his years in exile, Gagik was not held captive but compensated with extensive lands within the Byzantine Empire, residence in a palace in Constantinople, and a pension from the imperial treasury. His exceptional status is evident on his seals, which notably describe him not as a mere 'doux' but as the 'grand doux' or, as depicted on our seal, the 'protodoux' of Charsianon, emphasizing his noble lineage.

In 1079, Gagik II was captured by the governors of Kyzistra and executed. As the last of the Bagratuni kings, Gagik II 'the Lion' remains a pivotal figure in medieval Armenian history. This remarkable seal connects us to his life first as an Armenian king, then as a Byzantine captive, a Byzantine aristocract and, finally, an executed prisoner of war.