Opsikion

   One of the chief themes of Asia Minor (qq.v.), created in the seventh century, perhaps as early as 626 in order to provide Herakleios (q.v.) with an elite army to support his war against Persia (q.v.). In 715 it revolted against Anastasios II (q.v.), and placed Theodosios III (q.v.) on the throne. It supported the revolt of Artabasdos (q.v.) in 742. In the eighth century two new themes, the Optimatoi and Boukellarion (qq.v.) were carved out of Opsikion, whose command center was shifted from Ankyra to Nicaea (qq.v.). Part of the reason for this may have been to make revolts by thematic commanders more difficult.