Άλλες Ονομασίες Thrakesion Theme. Γεωγραφική Θέση Western Asia Minor, present day western Turkey. Ιστορική Περιοχή Asia, Lydia, Phrygia

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1 Περίληψη : The theme of Thrakesion must have been established at the beginning of the 8th century. It formed, together with Opsikion, a military force dedicated to the emperor who entrusted its leadership to trustworthy individuals. The theme s military importance was great during the 8th cand 9th centuries, but began to decline after the 10th century. The forces of the theme of Thrakesion played an important role, amongst others, in the campaigns against Arab-held Crete. Άλλες Ονομασίες Thrakesion Theme Γεωγραφική Θέση Western Asia Minor, present day western Turkey Ιστορική Περιοχή Asia, Lydia, Phrygia 1. Origins of the name of the theme Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos ( / ), in his text On themes, informs us that the area s inhabitants were called Thrakesians because they came from Thrace; He also adds that they were «laborious» and «manual workers». The scholar emperor places this migration to Asia Minor in the distant past, during the reign of the Lydian king Alyattes ( BC), father of Croesus, and attempts to verify this opinion with an ancient anecdotal story which is known from Herodotus (5.17) and from other ancient sources: Alyattes (or Darius according to Herodotus) was admiring the diligence of the wife of a Thracian immigrant and this was the cause for him to organize the migration of numerous Thracians to the area. 1 This almost mythical version offered by Porphyrogennetos seems to hold some grain of truth also for the mid Byzantine period: it suggests the movement of populations from Thrace to Asia Minor possibly around the middle of the 7th century: the area was called Thrakesion by these Thracian immigrants and the theme which later defended it was called theme of Thrakesion or Thrakesion History geography 2.1. Regarding the establishment of the theme of Thrakesion The theme of Thrakesion must have been established at around the beginning of the 8th century but the first phases of its historical course are not very clear. It is usually believed that the theme was initially the tourma of the theme of Anatolikon. 3 Another opinion has also been offered however, according to which it is considered possible that the theme of Thrakesion was included among the four initial large Asia Minor themes (Anatolikon, Armeniakon, Opsikion, Thrakesion), a view which is not entirely without problems. 4 The discordance which exists regarding the early phase of the history of the theme of Thrakesion also hinders the investigation as to whether the Thrakesion turma, included among the forces sent by Justinian II ( , ) to Cherson under the leadership of the tourmarch Christophoros was, as supported previously a turma of the theme of Anatolikon or if it was a turma of the already established theme of Thrakesion. 5 Whichever opinion is accepted, what is of greater importance is that apart from the theme of Opsikion, known for its dedication to Justinian II and his policies, the theme of Thrakesion also Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 1/7

2 appears to support the same emperor s policies. 6 Although the first mention of Thrakesian general dates from 741, 7 the establishment of the theme can be placed several years earlier, perhaps during the first years of the reign of Leo III ( ), towards the end of the second decade of the 8th century, as a result of his will to form an army at the ready near Constantinople and an obedient military force 8 which would be active parallel to the army of Opsikion The geography of the theme of Thrakesion The theme of Thrakesion included areas of ancient Mysia and Lydia. At its northern border with Opsikion was the valley of the Kaikos river, 9 while to the south its border with the theme of Kibbyrrhaiotai must have been slightly to the south of Ephesus. To the east it reached the areas of Tiberiopolis, Laodicea and Colosson, i.e. it included a section of Phrygia. 10 The theme s capital must have been Ephesus, although there is no clear reference in the sources. 11 The Arab geographer Ibn Khurradadhbih mentions that the theme s boundaries included four more fortified locations, 12 without mentioning their names, while of the cities recorded by Constantine Porphyrogennetos 13 (Pergamum, Sardis, Hierapolis, Tralles, Laodicea, Chonai/Colossai) most had been impoverished at the time of the writing of the On themes, and only Smyrna and Ephesus survived as towns. 3. Relations with central goverment The first known general of the Thrakecians, the patrikios Sisinnius contributed to the restoration of Constantine V ( ) to the throne, after a coup by Artabasdos, but was later blinded posssibly because the emperor considered him suspicious of conspiracy and a danger to his kingship. 14 During the years Constantine V and his successors appointed trustworthy generals to the theme, 15 notably Michael Lachanodrakon, the emperor s most trusted dignitary and applier of the policy on icons: during the twenty years of his administration, Lachanodrakon imposed harsh measures against the monks. 16 Also noteworthy was the theme s general Bardanes Tourkos, who possibly assumed the generalship in around 793 and ten years later, in 803, as general of Anatolikon, headed the consipracy against the emperor Nikephoros I ( ). 17 Since then, and for most of the 9th century, especially during the reign of the Amorion dynasty ( ), individuals of the emperor s complete trust were appointed generals of Thrakesion, in a clear attempt to control the area. 18 It is characteristic that the failed mutiny against Basil I ( ) the Macedonian, co emperor to Michael III ( ), in 866, was led by the Thrakesian general Symbatios and the earl of Opsikion George Peganes. 19 It is possibly that the same tactic was followed during the Macedonian dynasty but the names of particular officials are unknown, apart from one case, also uncertain, that of Nikephoros II Phokas ( ) Participation in military operations During the reign of Leo IV ( ), who followed a milder ecclesiastical policy, it appears that the general of Thrakesion Michael Lachanodrakon was confined to purely military duties. In 778 he was most certainly in charge of the allied Byzantine forces which advanced against the Arabs to Germanicia, 21 in 781 he headed another campaign in charge of men according to the sources, 22 while in the following years he suffered a terrible defeat at Darinon or Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 2/7

3 Varinon, loosing half of his force. 23 With the passing of time, and especially after the mid 9th century, as the Arab incursions were less of a threat to the themes neighbouring Constantinople, the Thrakesian troops began to be used in campaigns in the empire s European territories. They played an important role in the 911, 949 and 960/961 campaigns which led to the recapture of Arabheld Crete The theme of Thrakesion during the late 10th century and beyond From the late 10th century and beyond the theme of Thrakesion is mentioned less often in sources, a sign of its gradually decreasing importance. One of the theme s last generals, Basil II s ( ) renowned general Constantine Diogenes, seems to have been appointed in 1029 as a type of unfavourable transfer, on suspicion of conspiracy Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), p Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), p. 124 Ostrogorsky, G., Geschichte des Byzantinischen Staates (München 1952, reprint 1963), p Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), p Gelzer, H., Die Genesis der Byzantinischen Themenverfassung (Leipzig 1899), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et. al., Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Lilie, R.J., Thrakien und Thrakesion. Zur byzantinischen Provinzorganisation am Ende des 7. Jahrhunderts, Jahrbuch der österreichischen Byzantinistik 26 (1977), p. 7-47; Christofilopoulou, Aik., Βυζαντινή Ιστορία Β1: (Athens 1981), p About Chersonas campaign see Head, C., Justinian II of Byzantium (Wisconsin 1972), p About the turma of Thrakesion of the theme of Anatolikon see Gelzer, H., Die Genesis der Byzantinischen Themenverfassung (Leipzig 1899), p About the turma of the theme of Thrakesion see Lilie, R.J., Thrakien und Thrakesion. Zur byzantinischen Provinzorganisation am Ende des 7. Jahrhunderts, Jahrbuch der österreichischen Byzantinistik 26 (1977), p. 7-47, part. p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et. al Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Τακτικά Πρωτοκαθεδρίας, Oikonomidès, N. (ed.), Les listes de préséance byzantines (Paris 1972), Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V., et al Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Ramsay, W., The Historical Geography of Asia Minor (London 1890), p Ramsay, W., The Historical Geography of Asia Minor (London 1890), p Brandes, W., Die Städte Kleinasiens im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert (Berlin 1989), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al., Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), p Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 3/7

4 14. Rochow, I., Byzanz im 8. Jahrhundert in der Sicht des Theophanes. Quellenkritisch historischer Kommentar zu den jahren (Berlin 1991), p. 159, and by the same author Kaiser Konstantin V ( ). Materialien zu seinem Leben und Nachleben (Berlin 1994), p Rochow, I., Kaiser Konstantin V ( ). Materialien zu seinem Leben und Nachleben (Berlin 1994), p Speck, P., Kaiser Konstantin VI. Die Legimation einer fremden und der Versuch einer eigenen Herrschaft 1 (München 1978), p. 55; Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p. 209, about the generalship of Vardanes Tourkos in Anatolikon; Kountoura-Galaki, «Η επανάσταση του Βαρδάνη Τούρκου», Σύμμεικτα 5 (1983), p , and Niavis, P., The Reign of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus I (AD ) (Athens 1987), p , about the revolt of Vardanes Tourkos. 18. Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Vlysidou, V., Eξωτερική πολιτική και εσωτερικές αντιδράσεις την εποχή του Bασιλείου A (Aθήνα 1991), p ; Dapergolas, A., «Tο κίνημα των στρατηγών Συμβατίου και Γεωργίου Πηγάνη το καλοκαίρι του 866», in Πρακτικά IΔ Πανελληνίου Ιστορικού Συνεδρίου (Thessaloniki 1995), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Christofilopoulou, Aik., Βυζαντινή Ιστορία Β1: (Athens 1981), p Lilie, R.J., Die byzantinische Reaktion auf die Ausbreitung der Araber, Studien zur Strukturwandlung des byzantinischen Staates im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert (München 1976), p Ramsay, W., The Historical Geography of Asia Minor (London 1890), σελ. 159 Lilie, R.J., Die byzantinische Reaktion auf die Ausbreitung der Araber, Studien zur Strukturwandlung des byzantinischen Staates im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert (München 1976), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Vlysidou, V., «Θέμα Θρακησίων», in Vlysidou, V. et al, Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων (ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, Athens 1998), p Βιβλιογραφία : Lilie R.J., Die byzantinische Reaktion auf die Ausbreitung der Araber Studien zur Strukturwandlung des byzantinischen Staates im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert, München 1976, Miscellanea Byzantina Monacensia 22 Ostrogorsky G., Geschichte des Byzantinischen Staates, München 1952, ανατ Speck P., Kaiser Konstantin VI. Die Legimation einer fremden und der Versuch einer eigenen Herrschaft 1, München 1978 Brandes W., Die Städte Kleinasiens im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert, Amsterdam 1989, Berliner byzantinistische Arbeiten 56 Lilie R.J., "'Thrakien' und 'Thrakesion'. Zur byzantinischen Provinzorganisation am Ende des 7. Jahrhunderts", Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik, 26, 1977, 7-47 Βλυσίδου Β., Λουγγής Τ., Λαμπάκης Σ., Σαββίδης Α., Κουντούρα-Γαλάκη Ε., Η Μικρά Ασία των θεμάτων. Έρευνες πάνω στη γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 4/7

5 Mικράς Aσίας (7ος-11ος αι.), Αθήνα 1998, Eρευνητική Bιβλιοθήκη 1 Rochow I., Kaiser Konstantin V ( ). Materialen zu seinem leben und Nachleben. Mit einem prosopographischen Anhang von Ludwig Claudia, Rochow Ilse und Lilie R. J., Berlin 1994, Berliner Byzantinistische Studien 1 Ramsay W.Μ., The Historical Geography of Asia Minor, 2, London Amsterdam 1962 Niavis P. E., The Reign of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus I (AD ), Athens 1987, Ιστορικές Μονογραφίες 3 Κουντούρα-Γαλάκη Ελεονώρα, "Η επανάσταση του Βαρδάνη Τούρκου", Σύμμεικτα, 5, 1983, Rochow I., Byzanz im 8. Jahrhundert in der Sicht des Theophanes. Quellenkritisch - historischer Kommentar zu den Jahren , Berlin 1991, Berliner Byzantinische Arbeiten 57 Χριστοφιλοπούλου Α., Βυζαντινή Ιστορία Β 1: , Αθήνα 1981 Δαπέργολας Α., "Tο κίνημα των στρατηγών Συμβατίου και Γεωργίου Πηγάνη το καλοκαίρι του 866", Πρακτικά IΔ Πανελληνίου Ιστορικού Συνεδρίου, Θεσσαλονίκη 1995, 5-27 Βλυσίδου Β., Eξωτερική πολιτική και εσωτερικές αντιδράσεις την εποχή του Bασιλείου A, Aθήνα 1991 Foss C., "Thrakesion", Kazhdan, A. (ed.), The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium 3, Oxford, New York 1991, 2080 Δικτυογραφία : The Creation of Themes Γλωσσάριo : patrikios (from lat. patricius) Higher title of honour, placed, according to the "Tactika" of the 9th and the 10th centuries, between anthypatos and protospatharios. It was given to the most important governors and generals. Gradually, however, it fell into disuse and from the 12th century did not exist any more. tourma (lat. turma, meaning squadron) Administrative division of a theme in the Middle Byzantine period. A tourma was further subdivised into droungoi and banda. tourmarch Civilian and military commander of a tourma, subdivision of a theme. Πηγές Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), σελ Τακτικά Πρωτοκαθεδρίας, Oikonomidès, N. (ed.), Les listes de préséance byzantines (Paris 1972). Θεοφάνης, Χρονογραφία, De Boor, C. (ed.), Theophanis Chronographia (Leipzig 1883), σελ Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 5/7

6 Νικηφόρος, Χρονογραφικόν Σύντομον, Mango, C. (ed.), Nikephoros Patriarch of Constantinople, Short History (Washington 1990), σελ. 64. Παραθέματα 1. Σχετικά με την προέλευση της ονομασίας «Θρακήσιον» Ωνομάσθησαν δε Θρακήσιοι διά το είναι αυτούς εκ της των Θρακών γης. Κωνσταντίνος Πορφυρογέννητος, Περί Θεμάτων, Pertusi, A. (ed.), Costantino Porfirogenito de Thematibus (Città del Vaticano 1952), σελ Σχετικά με την εξόντωση των μοναχών του Θρακησίου από τον Mιχαήλ Λαχανοδράκοντα Τούτον ουν μιμησάμενοι και οι λοιποί τα όμοια διεπράττοντο και τέλος ουκ είασεν εις όλον το υπ αυτόν θέμα ένα άνθρωπον μοναδικόν περιβεβλημένον σχήμα Θεοφάνης, Χρονογραφία, De Boor, C. (ed.), Theophanis Chronographia (Leipzig 1883), σελ Χρονολόγιο Mid 7th century: Possible immigration of Thracians to western Asia Minor 711: Dispatch of head of the turma of Thrakesion to Cherson 716/717: Possible date for the establishment of the theme of Thrakesion 741: First mention of a Thrakesian general, Sisinnius : Michael Lachanodrakon serves as general of the theme 778: The Thrakesians reach Gernamicia during a campaign against the Arabs 781: The Thrakesians reach Armenia during a campaign against the Arabs 782: Defeat of the Thrakesians by the Arabs in Darinon 803: Coup by Bardanes Tourkos 866: Mutiny of Symbatios and George Peganes 911, 949: Thrakesian troops participate in campaigns against the Arabs in the empire s European territories 960/961: Recapture of Crete within the framework of a campaign against the Arabs in the empire s European territories. 1028/9: Unfavourable transfer of the general Constantine Diogenes to Thrakesion. Βοηθ. Κατάλογοι Οι επιφανείς στρατηγοί του θέματος Θρακησίων Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 6/7

7 Σισίννιος ή Σισιννάκιος ( ) Λέων ( ) Μιχαήλ Λαχανοδράκων ( ) Bαρδάνης Tούρκος ( ) Λάμαρις ( ) Κωνσταντίνος Κοντομύτης ( ) Πετρωνάς ( ) Συμβάτιος (866) Νικηφόρος Φωκάς ο παλαιός ( ή /901) Νικηφόρος Παστιλάς ( ) Κωνσταντίνος Διογένης ( ) Pωμανός Σκληρός ( ) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 12/2/2017 Σελίδα 7/7