Sebasteia (theme)
Encyclopedia
The Theme of Sebasteia was a military-civilian province (thema or theme) of the Byzantine Empire
located in northeastern Cappadocia
and Armenia Minor, in modern Turkey
. It was first established as a theme in 911 and endured until its fall to the Seljuk Turks in the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert
in 1071.
from the mid-7th century. The theme is not mentioned in any source prior to the 10th century. In 908, Sebasteia appears for the first time as a distinct kleisoura
(a fortified frontier district), and by 911 it had been raised to the status of a full theme.
The theme comprised the entirety of the Byzantine frontier regions along the middle course of the northern Euphrates
. With the expansion of the Byzantine frontier, it was extended south and east as far as Melitene, Samosata
and Tephrike, corresponding roughly to the ancient Roman province
s of Armenia Prima and parts of Armenia Secunda and Syria Euphratensis. After the mid-10th century, however, its extent was much reduced by the creation of new smaller themes.
In the 10th century, the region experienced a great influx of Armenians
, who became the dominant population. After 1019/1021, Sebasteia and adjoining lands were given as a fief to the Armenian Seneqerim Ardzruni, in exchange for the cession to the Empire of his kingdom of Vaspurakan
. From circa 1074, following the Byzantine defeat against the Seljuk Turks at Manzikert
in 1071, the Ardzruni ruled the territory as independent lords, until it was conquered by the Turks around 1090.
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 northeastern 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 Armenia Minor, 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 first established as a theme in 911 and endured until its fall to the Seljuk Turks in the aftermath of 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
The theme was formed around the city of Sebasteia (modern Sivas). The region formed 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:...
from the mid-7th century. The theme is not mentioned in any source prior to the 10th century. In 908, Sebasteia appears for the first time as a distinct 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), and by 911 it had been raised to the status of a full theme.
The theme comprised the entirety of the Byzantine frontier regions along the middle course of the northern Euphrates
Euphrates
The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia...
. With the expansion of the Byzantine frontier, it was extended south and east as far as Melitene, Samosata
Samosata
Samosata was an ancient city on the right bank of the Euphrates whose ruins existed at the modern city of Samsat, Adıyaman Province, Turkey until the site was flooded by the newly-constructed Atatürk Dam....
and Tephrike, corresponding roughly to the ancient Roman province
Roman province
In Ancient Rome, a province was the basic, and, until the Tetrarchy , largest territorial and administrative unit of the empire's territorial possessions outside of Italy...
s of Armenia Prima and parts of Armenia Secunda and Syria Euphratensis. After the mid-10th century, however, its extent was much reduced by the creation of new smaller themes.
In the 10th century, the region experienced a great influx of Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
, who became the dominant population. After 1019/1021, Sebasteia and adjoining lands were given as a fief to the Armenian Seneqerim Ardzruni, in exchange for the cession to the Empire of his kingdom of Vaspurakan
Vaspurakan Kingdom
Vaspurakan was the first and biggest province of Greater Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered around Lake Van...
. From circa 1074, following the Byzantine defeat against the Seljuk Turks at 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, the Ardzruni ruled the territory as independent lords, until it was conquered by the Turks around 1090.