Basil Apokapes. Magistros, vestes, and doux, circa 1059-circa 1065. PB Seal (27.5mm, 23.75 g, 1h). VF.

Electronic Auction 564
Lot: 731.
Closing Date: Jun 19 2024 10:00 ET

Byzantine, Lead

Estimate: $ 100

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Basil Apokapes. Magistros, vestes, and doux, circa 1059-circa 1065. PB Seal (27.5mm, 23.75 g, 1h). St. Basil standing facing, holding Gospels / + KЄR Θ/ BACIΛЄI(OV)/ MAΓICTPO/ RЄCTS Δ(OV)/K Tω AΠO/KAΠ. Michael Grunbart, “Die Familie Apokapes” in Studies in Byzantine Sigillograpy 5 (1998), p. 38; cf. DOCBS 4, 73.1 (for seal as proedros and doux of Edessa); BLS –; cf. Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Seals Online BZS.1958.106.4763 (same). Gray patina, slightly bent. VF.

Basil Apokapes had a storied career as a Byzantine general and served from at least the reign of Constantine IX onward until his death during the time of Alexius I. He is recorded as having been a patrikios and strategos who successfully defended the city of Manzikert from a Seljuq siege in 1054-1055. Later, he campaigned along the Danube front with the future emperor Nicephorus Botaniates circa 1059-1065. There, he was magistros and doux of Paraistrion. Following the later disastrous battle at Manzikert in 1071 (where emperor Romanus IV was captured), Basil came under the sway of would-be emperor Philaretos Brachamios who set up his own power base centered around Cilicia. At Philaretos’ behest, Basil captured the city of Edessa and served Philaretos there as doux. Seals of Basil attest him as proedros and the doux of Edessa. There are additionally seals known of Basil as vestarches and katepano of Vaspurakan which was situated on the eastern frontier of Byzantine territory and was absorbed by the Byzantine’s as a duchy in 1022 to serve as a buffer to the Seljuqs. This seal belongs to Basil’s time as magistros and doux of Paraistrion from 1069-1065. Grunbart’s 1998 article is the most up-to-date reference and discussion for seals belonging to the Apokapes family and can be consulted for additional discussion.

Closing Date and Time: 19 June 2024 at 14:03:20 ET.

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