Georgios, apo hypaton, of the apotheke of the slaves of Isauria and Kilikia, Indiction Year 7 = 693/94. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 24.60 g, 12 h). ΓEⲰPΓIOV - [AΠOVΠATON]; across field, indictional sign and year Z Justinian II standing facing, wearing crown, divisiton and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in his right hand. Rev. [AΠOΘ]HKHC TⲰ/N ANΔPAΠ/OΔⲰN HC/[AVPIAC / [S] KIΛIK... in six lines. Zarnitz in SBS 4, p. 185, no. 2. An extremely rare seal mentioning a slave market. Patchy patina, otherwise, very fine.



Following Justinian II's military campaign in the Balkans in 688/689, the emperor resettled large Slavic populations from their homes in Asia Minor's Opsikion theme. Shortly thereafter, a military force was raised from among them, led by a man named Neboulos as their commander (archon). In 692/693, this Slavic army participated in a significant campaign against the Umayyads, under the command of the Anatolikon strategos and later emperor, Leontios. Initially gaining the upper hand during the Battle of Sebastopolis, the Byzantines eventually suffered defeat when Neboulos and his men deserted to join the Arabs, allegedly after being bribed by the Arab general. Justinian II exacted brutal reprisals against the remaining Slavs of Opsikion, executing their leaders and enslaving many. Several types of seals, including the one we possess, reference the slave market where these captives ('andrapodon') were sold. Neboulos and his followers were resettled in Syria by the Arabs.