Aaron proedros and doux

Obverse
Full-length depiction of St. Theodore, who holds in his left hand a shield, which rests on the ground. Remains of inscription at right: O,: [Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Θεόδωρ]ο(ς). Border of dots.

Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Indeterminate border.

ΚΕ,Θ,
Ρ
ΠΡΟ
ΡΚ
ΚΙ

Κύριε βοήθει Ἀαρὼν προαίδρῳ καὶ δουκί

Κύριε βοήθει Ἀαρὼν προαίδρῳ καὶ δούκι.

Lord, help Aaron proedros and doux.

The parallel specimen allows us to complete the first line of the reverse, which is here illegible, as well as identify the military saint on the obverse. It is possible that a ligature of rho and omega precedes the omicron on the obverse.

We are able to trace the later stages of Aaron's career. From 1047 to 1049, he was katepano of Vaspourakan, with the titles of patrikios, anthypatos, and vestes (Zacos, Seals II, no. 352). At some point between 1049 and 1055 he rose to magistros and served as doux of Iberia and Greater Armenia (M-2173, Šandrovskaja, "Neizvestnye pečati Aarona," 61). From 1055 to 1057 he was magistros and doux of Ani and Iberia (BZS.1955.1.2179; Yuzbashian, "Administration byzantine," 162). This seal, and the specimen belonging to Aaron as a protoproedros (Zacos, Seals II, no. 354), thus postdate 1057.

DUMBARTON OAKS
ACCESSION NUMBER BZS.1951.31.5.1075
Parallel: Zacos, Seals II, no. 353a. PBW: Aaron 101 (boulloterion 1117).