Symbatios 1 was a native of Armenia (Συμβάτιος ὁ Ἀρμένης or similar): Leo Gramm. 248, Georg. Mon. Cont. 834. Son-in-law (γαμβρὸς) of the kaisar Bardas (Bardas 5) (see Anonyma 9): Leo Gramm. 242, 247, Georg. Mon. Cont. 828, 830, Ps.-Symeon 676, 678, 680, Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 205), V 17 (p. 237). He had a brother called Bardas (Bardas 7): Ps.-Symeon 678.

In 866 Symbatios 1 was patrikios and logothetes of the dromos (Συμβατίῳ πατρικίῳ καὶ λογοθέτῃ τοῦ δρόμου): Leo Gramm. 242, Georg. Mon. Cont. 828, Ps.-Symeon 676, cf. Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 205) (ὁ τοῦ δρόμου τοὺς λόγους διδούς, οὕτω καλούμενος Συμβάτιος, ἐπὶ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ ὑπάρχων γαμβρὸς), V 17 (p. 237) (τῷ πατρικίῳ Συμβατίῳ λογοθέτῃ τοῦ δρόμου τυγχάνοντι).

When Basilios 7 (the future emperor Basil I) was plotting to kill Bardas 5, he befriended Symbatios 1 and turned him against his father-in-law by pretending that the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) wanted to make him kaisar but could not do so because of Bardas 5; convinced by Basilios 7's solemn oaths, Symbatios 1 visited the emperor Michael 11 and persuaded him that Bardas 5 was plotting against the throne; Michael 11 then supported the plot against Bardas 5: Leo Gramm. 242-243, Georg. Mon. Cont. 828-829, Ps.-Symeon 676. Symbatios 1 went on the expedition against Crete (after Easter 866) and was involved with Basilios 7 in the plot to kill Bardas 5 at Kepoi in the Thrakesion theme: Ps.-Symeon 678, Georg. Mon. Cont. 830, Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 205) (suborned to support the conspirators, he gave the signal to attack Bardas 5), V 17 (p. 237) (privy to the conspiracy with the emperor, at whose nod he gave the signal to attack).

Symbatios 1 was the son-in-law of the kaisar Bardas 5, he was a patrikios and logothetes of the dromos (Συμβατίου δὲ γαμβροῦ ἐπὶ θυγατρὶ καίσαρος τιμῆς τε πατρικίων ἠξιωμένου καὶ τὰ τοῦ δρόμου διέπειν διειληχότος) at the time when Bardas 5 was murdered; he was part of the conspiracy and gave the signal for the attack; after presenting reports to the emperor and Bardas 5 he gave the signal, the sign of the cross, as he withdrew; the event took place on 21 April of indiction 14 (i.e. 21 April 866): Genesius IV 23.

Soon after the murder of Bardas 5, Basilios 7 was given the title of magistros and was adopted by the emperor Michael 11; Symbatios 1, allegedly moved by resentment and envy, then asked to be relieved of his post as logothetes as he did not wish to remain in Constantinople, and he asked to be made strategos of the Thrakesion theme; his request was granted (τῆς δὲ τῶν Ἰώνων ἤτοι Θρακησίων στρατηγίας αἰτεῖ τὴν ἀρχήν. οὗ τὴν αἴτησιν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐκπληρῶν προβάλλεται τοῦ εἰρημένου θέματος στρατηγόν): Theoph. Cont. V 18 (p. 238).

At the coronation of Basilios 7 as co-emperor with Michael III (26 May 866), Symbatios 1 and Basilios 7 were credited with having protected Michael 11 from the schemes of Bardas 5: Leo Gramm. 246, Georg. Mon. Cont. 832, Ps.-Symeon 679. When Symbatios 1 was not made kaisar, he decided that Basilios 7 had fooled him and entered into a conspiracy with Georgios 57 Peganes; first he asked for an appointment as strategos and obtained it (αἰτεῖται στρατηγὸς προβληθῆναι, καὶ γίνεται; Ps.-Symeon), being replaced as logothetes of the dromos by Goumer 1 (this is the same story as in Theophanes Continuatus above, but is dated differently); Georgios 57 became komes of the Opsikion; it was now summertime, and Symbatios 1 and Georgios 57 Peganes began to plunder and pillage lands and vineyards, acclaiming the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) but refusing to recognise Basilios 7; the other military commanders were ordered to stop them; Georgios 57 Peganes was captured first, and thirty days later Symbatios 1 was taken prisoner by Nikephoros 11 Maleinos in an inn at Keltzine (in Chaldia); taken before the emperor, he was first censed by Georgios 57 Peganes, who was given a censer for the purpose, then one eye was put out, his right hand was cut off, and Symbatios 1 was made to sit with a pot at the Lausos for any passer-by who wished to throw into it anything he wanted; after three days he and Georgios 57 Peganes were taken away to their respective homes and held under guard: Leo Gramm. 247-248, Georg. Mon. Cont. 833-834, Ps.-Symeon 680-681.

Further details are added in Theophanes Continuatus, with some differences; while in his thema of Thrakesion, Symbatios 1 learned of the coronation of Basilios 7 and decided with Georgios 57 Peganes to rebel against Basilios 7 but not against Michael 11; they persuaded their troops to join them and spent the summer attacking the estates of many powerful persons living in Constantinople (πολλοὺς ἀγροὺς τῶν κατὰ τὴν βασιλίδα δυνατῶν) and destroying many ships sailing to Constantinople, catching them in harbour and burning them; when winter came their troops dispersed and the two sought refuge, Symbatios 1 withdrawing to the fortress of the so-called Rock of Plateia, Georgios 57 Peganes to Kotyaion; the emperor's men however caught them and took them both to Constantinople to the emperor in the palace of St Mamas; after hearing reproaches and abuse they were then beaten and suffered the penalty prescribed by the law; Symbatios 1 was mutilated; he was blinded and one hand was cut off, and then he was sent into exile; subsequently, after Basilios 7 became sole emperor, both men were recalled and forgiven; they received generous gifts such as they had had before and were invited frequently to dine at the imperial table: Theoph. Cont. V 19 (pp. 240-241).

(Publishable link for this person: )