Romanos (?), patrikios, anthypatos and logothetes of the herds, 9th century. Seal (Lead, 28 mm, 14.99 g, 12 h). Large cruciform monogram ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘH; in quadrants, TⲰ - CⲰ / Δ૪-ΛⲰ ('Mother of God, help your servant'). Rev. …Ⲱ ΠATPIK’ / S ANΘVΠATO / ΛOΓOΘ’ TON / AΓЄΛON in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Struck on a short flan and with minor weakness, otherwise, very fine.


A logothetes, of which there were several in the Byzantine Empire, was a high-ranking government official, equivalent to a minister or secretary of state. The owner of our seal, being logothetes of the herds (ton agelon), was in charge of the horses and mules that were reared in western Asia Minor. These animals were to be deployed in the army and the imperial postal service.