Palatinos, patrikios and domestikos of the exkoubitoi, second half 9th-early 10th century. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 11.08 g, 12 h). ΙV XЄ ΘЄ ΗΓOV S KAΛON ΔIΔOV ('Jesus Christ, God, lead the way and grant goodness') Patriarchal cross on steps within pearled circle.
Rev. +ΠAΛAT,/NⲰ ΠATPIK, / R,A, CΠAΘ, S Δ/OMЄCTI,K, T,/N ЄΞK૪R, in five lines. Schlumberger, Sigillographie p. 346 (corr.). A well-preserved seal of an interesting military commander, featuring a very rare and personal invocation on the obverse. Good very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
The exkoubitoi were one of the elite regiments (tagmata) of the Byzantine army. They were professional soldiers answering directly to the emperor. As domestikos, Palatinos was the commander of the exkoubitoi. He may be identified with the Palatinos, patrikios and domestikos of the exkoubitoi who according to documentary sources attended the Ecumenical Council of Constantinopolis of 869/870 by order of emperor Basil I. This council excommunicated the patriarch Photios.
