Thomas, patrikios, praipositos, imperial protospatharios and logothetes of the dromos, late 9th century-early 10th century. Seal (Lead, 20 mm, 5.04 g, 11 h). [KЄ RO]HΘ Tω Cω ΔO[VΛ,] large cross on steps. Rev. +ΘωMA / ΠATPIK, Π/PEΠ, R,ACΠ/AΘ, S ΛOΓ[,T, / ΔPOM,] in five lines. Jordanov, Corpus III no. 842 corr. Some deposits, otherwise, very fine.


Written sources mention a Thomas patrikios, logothetes of the dromos in this time period, who was quite famous in his day and who may be identified as our seal’s owner. The author of Theophanes Continuatus praises this Thomas as a wise philosopher o great integrity. He is also mentioned by the same author, corroborated by John Skylitzes, in the context of the rebellion of Constantine Doukas, where Thomas appears as the recipient of a prophecy that the usurper would meet his doom (cf. Jordanov’s comments for additional information). As logothetes, Thomas was the head of the ‘dromos’, encompassing transportation and the famous Byzantine postal service. His dignity of praipositos reveals that he was a eunuch, as this court dignity was exclusively reserved for ‘beardless’ men.

Jordanov publishes three seals with this name and titles in his Corpus III (nos. 840-842), and mentions that they come from the same boulloterion. However, his no. 842 and our seal are in fact from a different set of dies, with a more abbreviated legend in five lines rather than in six. Also, the obverse shows a simple cross on steps, as opposed to the more extensively decorated patriarchal cross on Jordanov 840-841. The simple cross thus perhaps suggest a somewhat earlier date for Jordanov 842 and our example.