Nomos 25

BYZANTINE SEALS, Imperial Court. Barasbakourios, patrikios and strategos, died 711. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 34 mm, 30.25 g, 12 h), possibly 705-711. Cruciform monogram formed by the letters of ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙ (Virgin Mary help) with, in the four quarters, ΤΩ - ΔΟΥ/ΛΩ -COY (your servant); the whole within a wreathed border. Rev. BAPAC/BAKOYPI/Ω ΠΑΤΡΙΚΙ/Ω S CΤΡΑ/ΤΗΓΩ+ 'Barasbakourios, patrikios and strategos' in five lines; above, cross between two palm branches; all within a wreathed border. Oikonomides, dated, pp. 40–41. An extremely interesting and historical seal. Sharp and attractive. Extremely fine.

Barasbakourios or Barisbakourios (possibly of Iberian descent) met Justinian II in Cherson, shortly after his deposition in 695. He became a friend and strong supporter of the deposed emperor and accompanied him on his journey to the Bulgarians in 704, when sought to secure allies to reclain his lost throne. After the restitution of Justinian to the throne in 705, Barasbakourios became Protopatrikios and komes of the Opsikion. When Justinian was overthrown and executed by Philippics in 711, Barasbakourious fled but was soon tracked down by the new emperor's agents and put to death.