Leon Iasites, kouropalates and doux of Armeniakon, 1065-1085. Seal (Lead, 30 mm, 21.00 g, 12 h). [Θ Δ]H/[M]/H-T/PI/OC Saint Demetrios, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left on shield.
Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ[૪ΛⲰ] / ΛЄONTI KO[V]/POΠAΛAT[Ⲱ S] / Δ૪KI TⲰN A[P]/MЄNIAKⲰN / TⲰ IACIT' in seven lines; above, decorations. BBÖ I p. 140, note 13. Lichačev, Molivdovuly p. 131, no. 3. Schlumberger, Sigillographie p. 296, no. 6. An important seal of a Byzantine general in the border provinces. Scrape on the reverse and some rough spots
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, acquired before 2021.
The impressive career of Leon Iasites can be inferred from his seals (see BBÖ p. 140, n. 13), which show that he held important military commands in the middle of the 11th century. As anthypatos patrikios, he was komes of the stable and strategos, as magistros vestes, he was strategos of Boukellarion and as kouropalates, he was the doux of Armeniakon (the stage of his career to which our seal belongs). Eventually, he rose to the rank of protoproedros, but this seal does not mention a command. Seibt identifies this Leon Iasites with the addressee of one of Psellos' letters.
