 Nothing is known of Theoktistos ' early life . He is called a eunuch in Theophanes Continuatus and al @-@ Tabari and is generally accepted as such by modern scholars , although an accusation by his rival Bardas of wanting to marry Empress Theodora or one of her daughters appears incompatible with this . By 820 he held an unspecified position at the court of Emperor Leo V the Armenian ( ruled 813 – 822 ) , possibly as a member of the imperial guard . Theoktistos played a major role in the plot to assassinate Leo , and was rewarded by the new emperor , Michael II the Amorian ( r . 822 – 829 ) , with the rank of patrikios , and the confidential court post of chartoularios tou kanikleiou ( " secretary of the ink @-@ pot " ) . Under Michael 's son and successor , Theophilos ( r . 829 – 842 ) , he apparently continued to be a trusted advisor , as he rose to the rank of magistros , and was appointed logothetēs tou dromou , effectively the Empire 's foreign minister . A further mark of imperial confidence was Theophilos appointing Theoktistos as a member of the regency council for his two @-@ year @-@ old son Michael III shortly before his death in January 842 , alongside the empress @-@ dowager Theodora , and the magistros Manuel the Armenian . 
