Philaretos Brachamios. Kuropalates and domestikos of the Schools of the East, circa 1078-circa 1081(?). PB Seal (27mm, 23.41 g, 12h). VF.

Electronic Auction 559
Lot: 617. Estimated: $ 150

Byzantine, Lead

Sold For $ 425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Philaretos Brachamios. Kuropalates and domestikos of the Schools of the East, circa 1078-circa 1081(?). PB Seal (27mm, 23.41 g, 12h). Nimbate facing figure of St. Theodore, wearing military attire, holding spear and resting hand on shield set on ground to right / + ΦIΛA/ PЄT A K(OV)/ ΠS ΔOMЄ/ TO CXOΛ T/ NATO BP/ XAω in six lines. DOCBS –; BLS –; cf. DOC Byzantine Seals Online BZS.1955.1.3396 (for seal as magistros and doux. Thick earthen-gray patina. VF.

Philaretos Brachamios was a high ranking military officer of Armenian origin who served during the reigns of emperors Romanus IV, Michael VII, and Nicephorus III. This seal is a wonderful example from late in his career which attests him as Kuropalates (a rank he received during the first year of the reign of Nicephorus III (1078)) and as the domestikos of the East. Philaretos occupied this incredibly high-ranking position first under the ill-fated emperor Romanus IV and later again under Nicephorus III. This seal can be very closely dated to circa 1078-1081 due to the two offices appearing on the seal simultaneously. Unlike many office holders on Byzantine seals, Philaretos is very well documented historically. He is recorded as serving as one of Romanus IV’s commanders during the catastrophic battle of Manzikert in 1071. After the battle (in which the emperor was captured), Philaretos proclaimed himself emperor. He quickly established his own fiefdom in the East without any major challengers. Once the succession of Romanus (and later Michael VII) was settled in Constantinople, Philaretos negotiated with the new emperor Nicephorus III and agreed to give up his claim to the throne in exchange for the duchy of Antioch and other titles. Approximately five to six years later circa 1086-7, the Turkish forces proved too much for the once imperial-claimant to handle. Philaretos perished as his fiefdom collapsed around him and his sons later surrendered much of what remained of his possessions during the First Crusade a decade later. The rest was eventually absorbed by other powers in the chaotic scene in the East as the Byzantines found themselves pressed on every side by Turks, Arabs, Crusaders, and other forces.

Closing Date and Time: 3 April 2024 at 13:25:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.