Herakleios, patrikios, later 7th-first half 8th century. Seal (Lead, 26 mm, 18.00 g, 12 h). Cruciform monogram of ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘЄI. Rev. HPAK/ΛЄIⲰ / ΠAT[P]/IKI[Ⲱ] in four lines. Zacos/Veglery 1490A. Minor scratches and surface roughness, otherwise, good very fine.


This seal may belong to Herakleios, the brother of Tiberius III Apsimar (698-705). After the ascension of his brother, Herakleios was elevated to the rank of patrikios and appointed commander-in-chief (monostrategos) of all the Anatolian themes. He retained this position until he was killed by Justinian II, after the downfall of his brother. A seal mentioning both the rank of patrikios and the office of monostrategos (Zacos/Veglery 1982) may be attributed to him (see lot 5196 above). Our seal may also belong to this individual, but since there is no military command specified, we cannot be entirely certain.