Peter Barsymes (Latin: Petrus Barsumes, Greek: Πέτρος Βαρσύμης, fl.
Aside from contemporary official documents, the chief source for his life is the historian Procopius, whose treatment of Barsymes in the Secret History is extremely hostile.
At some point he gained an office in the staff of the praetorian prefecture of the East, before being appointed, some time around 540, to the post of comes sacrarum largitionum ("Count of the Sacred Largess", i.e. minister for the public treasury).
In order to replenish the treasury, he restarted the sale of offices, but his speculation with the grain supply of the capital failed, and he was dismissed soon after by Justinian.
Enjoying the protection of empress Theodora, according to Procopius, he was soon (in 547) reappointed to his old office as comes sacrarum largitionum.