Nomos 38

BYZANTINE SEALS, Imperial Families. Constantinos Diogenes, Protoproedros & Dux of Cappadocia, circa 1068-1073. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 28 mm, 16.00 g, 12 h), first born son of the emperor Romanus Diogenes. O / ΘΕ/Ο - Δ/Ω/ΡΟ/C Nimbate St. Theodore standing facing, bearded, dressed in military attire, and holding a spear with his left hand and resting his right hand on his; the whole within a circular dotted border. Rev. +KE BΘ, / ΚΩΝ Α'ΠΡΟ/ΕΔΡ S Δ૪ΚΙ / ΚΑΠΠΑΔΟΚΙ/ΑC ΤΩ ΔΙΟ/ΓΕΝΗ (+ Lord aid Constantine Diogenes, Protoproedros and Doux of Kappadokia) in six lines, the whole within a circular dotted border. Apparently unpublished: Cheynet, Diogénai, and Zacos -. Clear and bold. Extremely fine.

There were two notable members of the Diogenes family with the name Constantine: the father of the emperor Romanus Diogenes, Constantine Diogenes the elder, who died in 1032, and the son of Romanus Diogenes, Constantine Diogenes the younger, who was the husband of Theodora Comnena, who died in Antioch in 1073. Based on its owner's illustrious titles, this seal has to be of one of these two.

Although the Diogenes family originated in Cappadocia, the elder Constantine Diogenes was never associated with that region. He spent most of his career in the European part of the Empire, initially as a general under Basil II, playing a crucial role in the emperor's Bulgarian campaign. In fact, none of the known surviving seals of Constantine Diogenes the Elder) bear any of the titles encountered on this seal, nor are any linked to the theme of Cappadocia.

On the other hand, Constantine Diogenes the younger is a much more suitable candidate. The fact that he was the first-born son of the emperor (although since he was not porphyrogenetos, he had no claim to the throne), ensured him a high position in the administration of the empire. It is highly probable that his father appointed him doux and protoproedros of the Cappadocian theme, in order to defend the area, which, at that time, was suffering from Seljuk raids.

This seal, thus, can be very accurately dated to the period between 1068, when Romanus Diogenes became emperor, and 1073, when Constantine died in Antioch.