Charsianon

Charsianon (Greek Χαρσιανόν ) the name of a Byzantine fortress and the related topic in the area of Cappadocia in eastern Asia Minor ( now Turkey ).

History

The fortress Charsianon (Greek: Χαρσιανόν κάστρον, Charsianon kastron; Arabic: Qal'e -i Ḥarsanōs ) is first mentioned 638 during the early phase of Islamic expansion and was reportedly named after a general Justinian I. Charsios named. The Arabs conquered the first 730 and throughout the next century it remained between Byzantines and Arabs fought. In the early 9th century, the fortress headquarters of a Kleisoura, a separately managed fortified frontier district was. Between 863 and 873 Kleisoura was raised to the status of a full issue, and it received territories of neighboring threads started by Boukellarion, Armeniakon and Cappadocia. The strategos of the theme received an annual pay of 20 pounds of gold and commanded Arab sources indicate that 4000 soldiers and four forts.

In the 10th century the subject of Charsianon became an important stronghold of the landowning military aristocracy; the influential families of Argyros and Maleinos possessed their lands here. After 1045 a large number of Armenians including the former King Gagik II (reigned 1042-1045 ) was settled in the topic, which led to disputes with the local Greeks. The issue went to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 lost to the Seljuk Turks. Gagik II is attested as a last Doux of Charsianon 1072-1073.