Symeon, sebastophoros and domestikos of the regiments of the East, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 15.80 g, 12 h). +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ / CVMЄⲰN / CЄRAC/TOΦOP, in five lines. Rev. S ΔOMЄ/CTIKⲰ / TⲰN CXO/ΛⲰN THC / [A]NATO/Λ, in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references, and of great historical interest. Holed twice, otherwise, very fine.


The dignity of sebastophoros (literally 'emperor-carrier', perhaps alluding to the honor of carrying the imperial banner) was reserved for eunuchs. It was one of the highest honors to be enjoyed at the imperial court. The Byzantine historian, John Skylitzes, mentions a eunuch general named Symeon during the reigns of Constantine VIII (1025-1028) and Romanus III (1028-1034), who was droungarios of the watch and domestikos of the scholai. This last command is also mentioned on our seal, and it may well belong to this individual. According to Skylitzes, Symeon was primarily active on the eastern frontier, launching an unfinished campaign into Georgia, and fighting several battles against Muslim forces in Syria. Symeon must have been a very powerful member of the imperial court, as the Armenian historian, Artistakes Lastivertsi, even claims he ruled half the empire. Eventually, Symeon’s position became untenable when he protested against the breach of the imperial oath not to harm Konstantinos Dalassenos, who was banished to the island Plate. He was forced to enter into a monastery that he had founded himself, after which the sources become silent.