★ The 'third division' of the imperial bodyguard ★

Leon Alyates, patrikios and hetaireiarches of the third division, mid 11th century. Seal (Lead, 26 mm, 15.50 g, 12 h). O / Θ/Є/O-Δ/Ⲱ/P, Nimbate facing bust of Saint Theodore, holding a spear over his right shoulder and resting shield on his left arm. Rev. [+Λ]ЄⲰN / [Π]PI S ЄTЄ/[P]IAPXHC / THC TPIT / O AΛHA/T' in six lines. Jordanov, Corpus II 27. An interesting lead seal bearing mention of an apparently unique and intriguing court office. Struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The parallel example in Sofia has a fragmentary legend and our seal confirms Jordanov's proposed reading of the names. The hetaireiarches was the commander of a hetaireia, an imperial bodyguard regiment whose members were usually recruited among foreigners. By the time of Leo VI (886-912), there were three different hetaireiai: the great (megalè) hetaireia, comprised of Macedonians, the middle (mesè), comprised of foreigners, and the third (tritè), comprised of Central Asian Turks and Khazars. Later, a fourth division was added that may have been comprised of Russians (see Oikonomides, Listes p. 327). Each of these divisions was commanded by their own hetaireiarches. On seals, mention of the great hetaireia is relatively well attested. The mention of the 'third' division seems to be unique to this seal type.