Leon, patrikios and strategos of Thrakesion, 8th century. Seal (Lead, 30 mm, 28.79 g, 12 h). Large cruciform monogram ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘЄI; in quadrants, TⲰ - CⲰ / Δ૪-ΛⲰ ("Mother of God, help your servant"). Rev. ΛЄONTI Π/ATPIK’ S C…/ATHΓ, TⲰN / ΘPAKHCIⲰ in four lines, decorations above and below. DO Seals III 2.42 and 2.43. Zacos/Veglery 2132. An impressive seal of a major Byzantine general. Minor scratches, otherwise, very fine.


The owner of our seal may be identified with the patrikios and strategos of the Thrakesion theme who, according to Theophanes the Confessor, Chronographia, was killed by the Bulgars in 758/9.