Charsianon

Coordinates: 39°44′25″N 35°50′10″E / 39.740217°N 35.836142°E / 39.740217; 35.836142
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Charsianon
Χαρσιανόν, θέμα Χαρσιανοῦ
Theme of the Byzantine Empire
863/873 – ca. 1072/3

Map of the Theme of Charsianon within the Byzantine Empire in 1000 AD.
CapitalCharsianon (at first), Caesarea
Area
 • Coordinates39°44′25″N 35°50′10″E / 39.740217°N 35.836142°E / 39.740217; 35.836142
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Establishment as a theme
863–873
• Fall to the
Seljuks
after ca. 1072/3

Charsianon (

theme (a military-civilian province) in the region of Cappadocia in eastern Anatolia (modern Turkey
).

History

The fortress of Charsianon (Greek: Χαρσιανόν κάστρον, Charsianon kastron;

Arabic: Qal'e-i Ḥarsanōs) is first mentioned in 638, during the first wave of the Muslim conquests, and was allegedly named after a general of Justinian I named Charsios.[1] The fortress is now identified with the ruins of Muşalikalesi (Muşali Kale of old) in the Akdağmadeni district in Yozgat Province.[2]

The

In the early 9th century, the fortress became the centre of a kleisoura, a separately administered fortified frontier district. Sometime between 863 and 873, it was raised to the status of a full theme, augmented by territory from the neighbouring Bucellarian, Armeniac and Cappadocian themes.[1][4] It ranked in the middle tier of themes, with its governing strategos receiving an annual salary of 20 pounds of gold and commanding, according to Arab sources, 4,000 men and four fortresses.[1]

In the 10th century, the theme of Charsianon became a major stronghold of the landed military aristocracy, with the great clans of

Seljuk Turks following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 and given to Danishmendids.[1] Gagik II is attested as the last doux of Charsianon in 1072–1073.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e ODB, "Charsianon" (C. Foss), p. 415.
  2. ^ Honigmann 1935, pp. 49–50.
  3. ^ Honigmann 1935, p. 50.
  4. ^ a b McGeer, Nesbitt & Oikonomides 2001, p. 107.

Sources

39°44′25″N 35°50′10″E / 39.740217°N 35.836142°E / 39.740217; 35.836142