Cappadocia

   Region of central Asia Minor (q.v.) famous for the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzos, and Gregory of Nyssa (qq.v.). Its strategic importance from the seventh century onward lay in its close proximity to frontier passes through the Taurus Mountains (q.v.), from either Caesarea or Tyana (qq.v.). The route from Tyana led to the famous Cilician Gates (q.v.). Attacks by Persians and Arabs (qq.v.) made it imperative that the theme (q.v.) system include Cappadocia, hence the themes of Anataolikon and Armeniakon (qq.v.). In the ninth century, the smaller themes of Charsianon, Cappadocia, and Kleisoura (qq.v.) were carved from these larger themes. By that time the Paulicians (q.v.) were a threat as well. Fortified refuges were built to protect the imperiled indigenous population, and Slavs (q.v.), Syrians, and Armenians were resettled to make up for civilian losses. Under these circumstances the military aristocracy increased its power, as reflected by the revolt of Bardas Phokas against Basil II (qq.v.). For a while, the extension of the eastern frontier by Basil II and his immediate predecessors took pressure off Cappadocia until the advent of the Seljuks (q.v.). The Seljuks sacked Caesarea in 1067. After the battle of Mantzikert (q.v.) in 1071 they annexed all of Cappadocia.