The Klimata of Cherson in the Theme Period

Abstract

The theme period in the Klimata of Cherson started in 841. Using the Khazars’ dependence on the Eastern Roman Empire military assistance, Emperor Theophilos returned the towns and forts located on the Inner Range of the Crimean Mountains and established there a new military and administrative unit, the thema (θέμα). The strategos of this theme controlled the fortress of Cherson and neighbouring Klimata, the latter were governed by local archontes. The strategos held supreme power in the region. The archontes were recognized as the Empire’s officials. The strategos was in charge of judicial, financial, and tax affairs of the province; he was responsible for maintaning order in the territory entrusted to him. Apparently in 850 or 860, the theme was called the theme of Cherson by the seals. According to the materials of archaeological excavations, fortifications in the κάστρον and πολίσματα on the plateaux of Mangup, Eski-­Kermen, and Bakla were partly restored, and a new fort atop of the high plateau of Suiren’ was constructed following the establishment of the theme. In the late tenth century, the theme of Cherson was divided into the tourmai of Cherson and Gothia, and the Klimata were reorganized into the topoteresiai. The officers of the Byzantine army were charged with commanding the tourmai and topoteresiai. The tourmarches of Gothia had the title of spatharios, typical of the Byzantine tourmarchai. His residence was in the fortress atop of the plateau of Mangup. There is an inscription informing that the topoteretes commanded his troop and also supervised the reconstruction of fortifications. In the second half of the eleventh century, the town of Sougdaia was included into the theme of Cherson. Probably a few years after, the theme was transformed into the katepanate. The limits of the katepanate of Cherson remain obscure. It comprised of the theme of Cherson with the topoteresiai of the tourma of Gothia, Sougdaia, and Khazaria. From the seals of Byzantine aristocrats originating from the territory of the Klimata and the materials of archaeological excavations of the towns and forts located on the Inner Mountain Range, there are reasons to suppose that the Eastern Roman Empire kept control over Gothia as long as it was defeated by the Crusaders in 1204.