Armeniakon

   One of the earliest and most important of the themes (q.v.), due to its size and location in northeastern Asia Minor (q.v.). In rank second only to the theme of Antaolikon (q.v.), it bordered the Black Sea from Sinope (qq.v.) to a point just to the east of Trebizond, extending south of Tyana (qq.v.). Most likely in existence by the mid-640s (but not fully attested to in historical literature until 667), it played a great role in defending Asia Minor against Arab (q.v.) raiders.