Koloneia (theme)
Encyclopedia
The Theme of Koloneia was a small military-civilian province (thema or theme) of the Byzantine Empire
located in northern Cappadocia
and the southern Pontus
, in modern Turkey
. It was founded sometime in the mid-9th century and survived until it was conquered by the Seljuk Turks soon after the Battle of Manzikert
in 1071.
, the theme was formed around the city of Koloneia on the river Lykos (modern Şebinkarahisar
). The theme is attested for the first time in 863, but it apparently existed as a separate district earlier: Nicolas Oikonomides interprets a reference by the Arab geographer al-Masudi
to mean that it constituted first a kleisoura
(a fortified frontier district). In addition, a version of the Life of the 42 Martyrs of Amorium mentions that Emperor Theophilos
appointed a certain spatharios Kallistos as its doux
in circa 842, making it the likely date of its elevation to a full theme (alongside neighbouring Chaldia
).
Koloneia's remote location preserved it from the worst of the Arab raids, except for a major raid by Sayf al-Dawla in 939/940. In 1057, the local regiment, under Katakalon Kekaumenos
, supported the uprising of Isaac I Komnenos
. In 1069, the theme was occupied by the rebel Norman
mercenary Robert Crispin
. The region fell to the Seljuk Turks soon after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
located in northern Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
and the southern Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
, in modern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It was founded sometime in the mid-9th century and survived until it was conquered by the Seljuk Turks soon after the Battle of Manzikert
Battle of Manzikert
The Battle of Manzikert , was fought between the Byzantine Empire and Seljuq Turks led by Alp Arslan on August 26, 1071 near Manzikert...
in 1071.
History
Originally part of the Armeniac ThemeArmeniac Theme
The Armeniac Theme , more properly the Theme of the Armeniacs was a Byzantine theme located in northeastern Asia Minor .-History:...
, the theme was formed around the city of Koloneia on the river Lykos (modern Şebinkarahisar
Sebinkarahisar
Şebinkarahisar is a town and a district of Giresun Province in the Black Sea region of eastern Turkey.-Name:The 6th century Byzantine historian Procopius writes that the Roman general Pompey captured the then ancient fortress and renamed it Colonia, in Greek Koloneia...
). The theme is attested for the first time in 863, but it apparently existed as a separate district earlier: Nicolas Oikonomides interprets a reference by the Arab geographer al-Masudi
Al-Masudi
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Mas'udi , was an Arab historian and geographer, known as the "Herodotus of the Arabs." Al-Masudi was one of the first to combine history and scientific geography in a large-scale work, Muruj adh-dhahab...
to mean that it constituted first a kleisoura
Kleisoura
Kleisoura is a traditionally Aromanian settlement and a former municipality in Kastoria peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kastoria, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 576...
(a fortified frontier district). In addition, a version of the Life of the 42 Martyrs of Amorium mentions that Emperor Theophilos
Theophilos (emperor)
Theophilos was the Byzantine emperor from 829 until his death in 842. He was the second emperor of the Phrygian dynasty, and the last emperor supporting iconoclasm...
appointed a certain spatharios Kallistos as its doux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
in circa 842, making it the likely date of its elevation to a full theme (alongside neighbouring Chaldia
Chaldia
Chaldia was a historical region located in the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor . Its name was derived from a people called the Chaldoi that inhabited the region in Antiquity. Chaldia was used throughout the Byzantine period and was established as a formal theme, known as the Theme of Chaldia , in...
).
Koloneia's remote location preserved it from the worst of the Arab raids, except for a major raid by Sayf al-Dawla in 939/940. In 1057, the local regiment, under Katakalon Kekaumenos
Katakalon Kekaumenos
- Life :Katakalon Kekaumenos was born in Koloneia, and although apparently a member of the noble Katakalon family, according to John Skylitzes he was not of aristocratic origin. He first distinguished himself in the Sicilian campaign of George Maniakes...
, supported the uprising of Isaac I Komnenos
Isaac I Komnenos
Isaac I Komnenos was Byzantine Emperor from 1057 to 1059, and the first reigning member of the Komnenos dynasty...
. In 1069, the theme was occupied by the rebel Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
mercenary Robert Crispin
Robert Crispin
Robert Crispin , called Frankopoulos, was a Norman mercenary and the leader of a corps of his countrymen stationed at Edessa under the command of the Byzantine general Isaac Komnenos, Duke of Antioch, in the 1060s. He fought against the invading Seljuk Turks and was supposedly poisoned shortly...
. The region fell to the Seljuk Turks soon after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.