Bucellarian Theme

( Θέμα Greek Βουκελλάριον, Bukellarion topic ) The topic of Bukellarier (Greek θέμα Βουκελλαρίων, subject Bukellariōn ), also known as the theme Bukellarion was a Byzantine theme in northwestern Asia Minor ( now Turkey ). It originated in the middle of the 8th century and included the ancient territories of Paphlagonia, Galatia and Phrygia parts.

History

The topic was founded after 743, but before 767 by Emperor Constantine V (reigned 741-775 ), after the failure of the revolt of the Artabasdos, the commander in the topic Opsikion. The theme of Bukellarion was together with the separated the Optimates the subject Opsikion to curtail the power of wealth. The topic name comes from the late Roman Bucellarii (Greek Bukellarioi ), elite cavalry units of either Gothic or Roman origin, which often served as private bodyguards. In the early 7th century, the Bukellarioi formed an elite division of the Army of the topic of Opsikion and were commanded by a private domestikos. A Strategos is the first time 767 is what marks the latest possible time of the creation of the subject. His seat was Ancyra, the former capital of Opsikion. He included an annual pay of 30 pounds of gold. Arab geographers, according to his command about 8,000 soldiers. The courtly Would titles for strategoi of bukellarischen topic were often Spatharios, rare Protospatharios and once also Patrikios. Claudiopolis is the only confirmed site of one of turmai of the topic. Although it was originally a cavalry theme was ( subject Kaballarikon ) had the Bukellarier also a small fleet, which operated in the Black Sea. The " katepano the Bukellarier and Paphlagonians " whose seal has received from the 10th century, was the commander of this province fleet. But there are signs that the fleet consisted of commercial vessels and not from warships.

Originally, the theme from the Black Sea to the extended plateau of Anatolia. In the west, it bordered on the theme of Optimates and to the Opsikion of the West, the issue Anatolikon in the south and the Armeniakon in the east. In the 9th century, about 820, the north-eastern part was incorporated together with parts of the Armeniakon about Paphlagonia. By Emperor Leo VI. (reigned 886-912 ) was further reduced the subject than twelve ( south ) eastern Banda of the theme the new topics ( to the Tuz lake ) Cappadocia and Charsianon ( east of the Halys were slammed ). In the 9th century the issue involved two villages and 13 fortresses, in the 10th century is reported by 5 villages. The theme was, until it was overrun after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 by the Seljuk Turks. The name Bukellariōn emerged as a geographical concept on in Byzantine sources to 1263.