Nomos 22

BYZANTINE SEALS. Gabriel, Protokouropalates, Ameras and Dux of Melitene, 1050-1103. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 30.5 mm, 17.12 g, 11 h), c. 1086-1103. Three nimbate male figures standing facing: on the left, St Nicolas, wearing phelorion and omophorion, and holding Book of Gospels; at the center, St. George wearing military attire, holding spear and resting his hand on his shield set on the ground; on the right, St. John Prodromos right wearing himation and holding a long cross. Rev. ΓPAΦAC / CΦPAΓIZΩ/ TOY ΓABPIHΛ/ ΩC AΛEΠΕΙC/ AMHPA ΔOYKA/ A'KOYPOΠA/ΛATOY in seven lines. Zacos II, 464 = DLS 107 = Cheynet, Zacos, 41. An exceptionally interesting seal of great historic importance. With an attractive tan patina. Minor marks, otherwise, about very fine.

Gabriel of Melitene was a Greek Orthodox Armenian who had risen through the ranks of the Byzantine army until he was appointed by Philaretos Brachamios, Domestic of the East under Romanus IV, as Dux of Melitene c. 1069-c. 1071 (or possibly later, when Philaretos was again Domestic under Nicephorus III, c. 1078). He was able to protect the autonomy of the city with the tolerance (and the help) of the Beylik of the Danishmends, and, in 1086, Melitene became independent of Byzantine control. Around 1100 his former allies, the Danishmends, attacked Melitene and Gabriel sent a letter with a seal like this one to Bohemond I of Antioch asking for help. Bohemond went to help his new ally, but he was ambushed by the Danishmend Malik Ghazi Gumushtekin in what is known as the Battle of Melitene, which resulted in his army being completely annihilated. Both Bohemond and Richard of Salerno were captured by the Turks. In 1103, during another Danishmend attack on Melitene, Gabriel sent another sealed letter to the Crusader forces; this time they didn't respond. Soon after the city's fall to the Danishmends Gabriel was executed.