Georgios 57 was introduced as Georgios Peganes (Γεώργιος ὁ Πηγάνης); Leo Gramm. 247, Georg. Mon. Cont. 833, Ps.-Symeon 680. Later (and in Theophanes Continuatus) referred to as Peganes (ὁ Πηγάνης). In 866 he was patrikios and komes of the Opsikion: Theoph. Cont. V 19 (p. 240) (Πηγάνην ἐκεῖνον τὸν πατρίκιον, ὃς τῆς κατὰ τὸ Ὀψίκιον ἡγεῖτο στρατηγίδος), cf. Leo Gramm. 247, Georg. Mon. Cont. 833 (both read: καὶ ἐκεῖνος κόμης τοῦ Ὀψικίου). In 866, after the proclamation of Basilios 7 (Basil I) as co-emperor (26 May), Georgios and Symbatios 1 (strategos of the Thrakesioi) conspired together to reject the nomination of Basil and to recognise only Michael III; during the summer (of 866) they overran, burnt and pillaged lands and vineyards (in the Opsikion and Thrakesioi), acclaiming Michael and rejecting Basil; other commanders were ordered to oppose them; Peganes was seized first and taken to Constantinople, where on the emperor Michael's orders he was blinded by the prefect Konstantinos 40 and then made to sit in the Milion with a pot into which passers-by were allowed to throw any donations; when later Symbatios also was seized and taken to Constantinople, Peganes was taken to meet him and given an earthenware censer with sulphur in it with which he censed him; later the two were taken to their own homes and held under guard: Leo Gramm. 247-248, Georg. Mon. Cont. 833-834, Ps.-Symeon 680-681. The account in Theophanes Continuatus adds details and also differs somewhat; they are said to have persuaded their troops to revolt against Basil but not against Michael; during the summer they attacked estates belonging to the mighty in Constantinople, and they caught in harbour and burnt many ships which were en route to Constantinople; when the summer ended, their men scattered and the two leaders sought refuge, Peganes withdrawing to Kotyaion, Symbatios to Plateia; after they were caught, they were taken before the emperor in St Mamas and after a beating were punished according to the law; they both suffered mutilation; Peganes was blinded and his nose was cut off, and then he was sent into exile; later, after Basil I became sole emperor, he recalled both men and forgave them, giving them generous gifts such as they had had before and inviting them frequently to the imperial table: Theoph. Cont. V 19 (pp. 240- 241).

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