Theognostos Melissenos, magistros, middle 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 11.32 g, 12 h). MHP - ΘV The Mother of God “Hodegetria”, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, pointing with her right hand towards Infant Christ seated on her left arm. Rev. ΘKЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪Λ, / ΘЄOΓNⲰCT, / MAΓ,CTP, TⲰ / MЄΛICCH/NⲰ in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Very fine.



Our seal likely belongs to the same Theognostos Melissenos who held the titles of vestarches and katepano of Mesopotamia (Cheynet/Theodoridis, p. 141). Cheynet suggests that he may have been the father of the usurper Nikephoros Melissenos, who was the brother-in-law of Alexios I Komnenos.