Byzantine court officials often wore massive gold rings inscribed with religious invocations and their titles. This ring, weighing 30 grams (1.1 oz), is inscribed on its face (bezel) in Greek: "Lord, help Leontios, patrikios and count of the God-guarded Opsikion." Opsikion was one of the four original themes (regions) of Byzantium; by this date, its capital was Nicaea (modern Iznik in Turkey). Patrikios was a title granted to important governors and generals.

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