Apnelgaripes Chasanes (Abul-Gharib Artsruni, son of Hasan), vestes and strategos, 2nd half of 11th century. Seal (Lead, 31 mm, 14.67 g, 12 h). O / A/Γ/I/O - Γ/Є/Ⲱ/P/ΓI/O Saint George, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left on shield. Rev. +CON OIKT, / AΠЄΛΓAPHΠH, / [R]ЄCTHN S CTPA/[TI]ΓⲰN ΦVΛATT, / [M]APTVC TON / [X]ACANHN ('Martyr, protect your servant Apnelgaripes Chasanes, vestes and strategos') in six lines. Leu Numismatik Web Auction 26 (2023), 5910, Web Auction 27 (2023), 2385 and Web Auction 28 (2023), 5259. Cf. Cheynet, Collection Tatis no. 3.48 (Apnelgaripes Chasanios, patrikios (?), stratelates (?) and strategos of Tarsos and ...). Cf. Cheynet, Les Marchapsaboi, p. 171, note 23 = Leu Web Auction 24 (2022), 3651 ('Apnelgaripes Chasanios, proedros and strategos of Tarsos and Sousounte'). A Byzantine seal belonging to an intriguing Armenian historical figure. Some breakage along the edge, otherwise, good very fine.



Apnelgaripes can be identified with the Armenian nobleman Abul-Gharib Artsruni, son of Hasan. His family was closely associated with the family of Senacherim Johannes, prince of Vaspurakan. Although being of high Armenian descent, Apnelgaripes adhered to Byzantine orthodoxy and served the emperor, Michael VII, as governor of Cilicia. One of his daughters married David, son of Gagik II, the last king of Ani. Another of his daughters married Oshin of Lampron, from whom the Huthumids descended, rulers of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the 13th-14th centuries.