Byzantine Seal Eagle Theodosios? Officer? 6th-7th Century

[pogh_poor]

I have an new interesting Byzantine seal which measures 21.66 mm by 18.64 mm and weighs 10.58 g.  On the obverse is an eagle with outstretched wings and head right with a cross above within a beaded circle.  On the reverse, there is a cruciform monogram which I believe can be read          C    - Θεοδοσίου - Theodosios?  within a beaded circle. It looks like it may be 6th-7th Century?   Am I correct?  The seller attributed the seal to an officer but does having an eagle necessary make it a seal of any officer?  Pogh_poor

[Gert]

Yes, correct. Theodosiou, c. 550-650. I'd say it would be a stretch to attribute this to somebody in the military. It could also well belong to someone in the bureaucracy or a judge. I'd have to check, but I do think it is safe to assume that clergy (bishops etc.) did not use the eagle as their device, as that is old symbol of the state.
Regards
Gert

[pogh_poor]

Thank your confirmation of my interpretation!  I was able to find an example of a seal from a monk with eagle among the collection of Dumbarton Oaks. 

Μιχαήλ μοναχοῦ.

(Seal of) Michael monk.

[Gert]

Nicely found. However, the monogram can also be solved Michaeliou, with no need for the 'monachou', as the N is possible but not necessary for the solution (it is formed out of M and X). It's a much rarer name than Michael, but still known for a small number of persons. The DO comment, I see, mentions this solution, but the argument for their preferred reading does not make sense - I quote: "but it seems more likely that we would find the somewhat common name Michael in conjunction with the somewhat common title of monk". This only applies when we have to chose between Michaelios monk and Michael monk. Then indeed, the latter solution must be preferred.

Can you find an example where there's a higher degree of certainty?
Regards
Gert

[quadrans]

Great seal, 

Q.