Konstantinos Senachereim (Senek\'erim), Proedros and Doux of Cappadokia

Konstantinos Senachereim (Senek\'erim), Proedros and Doux of Cappadokia, circa 1072-1075. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 32 mm, 14.11 g, 12 h). MHP-ΘΥ Nimbate bust of Theotokos orans, bearing a medallion of the infant Christ on her breast. Rev. +ΘΚΕ ΒΘ/ ΤΩ CΩ ΔΟΥ/ΛΩ (ΚΩΝ) ΠΡΟΕ/ΔΡΩ S ΔΟΥΚΑ/ ΚΑΠΠΑΔΟΚΙ/ΑC S XATΕΠΑΝΩ/ ΤΩ CENA/XHPEIM in eight lines. Unpublished but for similar seals cf: BZS.1955.1.3294 = Cheynet 223 = W. Seibt, \"The sons of Senek\'erim Yovhannes, the last king of Vaspurakan\", Revue des études arméniennes 37 (2016-17), 124-126. Some uncleaned deposits, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

This seal provides some very interesting historical evidence for Konstan­tinos Senachereim, son of John (Yovhannçs) Senachereim, the last Armenian king of Vaspurakan. John ruled there between 1003 and 1022, when the region was incorporated into the Byzantine Empire and the royal family was then moved to Cappadocia, where John was appointed governor. We learn from this seal, that his son Konstantinos held the offices of Dux of Cappadocia and Catepano; both titles were lacking on those seals published by Seibt. Konstantinos must have received these added dignities soon after the disastrous battle of Mantzikert, when in order to defend the eastern provinces from the Seljuk threat, the Byzantine government offered very high administrative positions to aristocrats of Armenian origin. For another individual of Armenian origin appointed to a high position at this time, see below, lot 419.

Nomos 22 Lot 416
21.06.2021