Banes (Vahan), imperial spatharios and tourmarches of Thrakesion, 8th century. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 17.00 g, 12 h). Cruciform monogram ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘЄI; in quadrants, TⲰ - CⲰ / Δ૪-ΛⲰ ("Mother of God, help your servant"). Rev. +BA/NH B’CΠ/AΘ S T૪PM/APX’ TON / ΘPAK, in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A well-struck seal of an important Armenian military commander. Minor scratches, otherwise, extremely fine.


As tourmarches of the province of Thrakesion, Banes - whose name reflects his Armenian origin - served as one of the senior officers in the staff of the supreme commander ot the theme, the strategos.