Petros 8 was apparently magistros from late in the reign of Constantine V (Konstantinos 7) until 790, serving under Leo IV (Leo 4) and the joint reign of Constantine VI (Konstantinos 8) and Eirene 1. He was a magistros under Konstantinos 7; he supported the emperor's iconoclast views and shared in the persecution of iconophiles in Constantinople; the date was late in Konstantinos 7's reign, after 767: Theoph. AM 6259 (Πέτρου μαγίστρου). See also Antonios 1. In 782 he was still magistros (under Konstantinos 8 and Eirene 1, having presumably continued in office through the reign of Leo 4); he accompanied Staurakios 1 and Antonios 1 to negotiate peace with Harun 1, but they failed to take measures to ensure their own safety and fell into Harun 1's hands; a peace was finally made which favoured the Arabs: Theoph. AM 6274. On these events, see Treadgold, Revival, pp. 69-70. In 789 and 790 he was still magistros and was one of the close allies of the emperor Konstantinos 8 who conspired with him against the all-powerful eunuch Staurakios 1 (see also Damianos 1 and Theodoros 14); their plot was discovered and in early 790 they were punished by the empress Eirene 1; Petros 8 was punished (possibly stripped of his titles) and placed under house arrest (τὸν δὲ μάγιστρον Πέτρον ἀτιμίαις περιβαλοῦσα ἐκάθισεν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ): Theoph. AM 6282, cf. Leo Gramm. 196, Theod. Mel. 135, Sym. Slav. 85. 27-32, Zon. XV 11. 17. The precise sense of ἀτιμίαι is uncertain; it perhaps means to be deprived of titles and dignities, but see Winkelmann, Quellenstudien, pp. 141-142. Cf. also Petros 114, Petros 115 and Petros 118 (possibly the same person). See Rochow, Konstantin V, pp. 235-236.

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