| 抄録: | The Byzantine Empire had to deal with aggressive Islamic power not only in Asia Minor but also in the Mediterranean Sea during the 7th century. We see an increase in the number of references to the Byzantine fleets in the sources from this period, in particular from the second half of the 7th century. The Byzantine fleets played an important role in the political history of the Byzantine Empire being involved in changes of government as well as in the two campaigns in defense of Constantinople (674-8 and 717-8). There is, however, insufficient information about the first Byzantine fleet, the so-called "Karabisianoi." The Chronographia of Theophanes Confessor and the Breviarium of Patriarch Nichephorus, two main Byzantine sources about 7th and 8th century, use the common noun ploimon, meaning fleet, and do not mention the Karabisianoi. Only Latin sources, the Liber pontificalis, and the hagiographical Miracles of St. Demetrios, and some archaeological data, i.e. lead seals, indicate the existence of some "strategoi of karabisianoi, " meaning simply admirals of seamen. In this report of my research, I point out various problems concerned with the formation and activities of the Karabisianoi fleets and their command by tracing the facts of the Byzantine navy in the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea in the second half of the 7th and the beginning of the 8th centuries which most recent studies have not examined in detail. Fourteen major episodes that were concerned with the Byzantine fleets are dealt with. First, as regards the so-called "Battle of Mast" in 655, it is very difficult to determine whether the Karabisianoi constituted the main part of the Byzantine fleet or whether the Karabisianoi fleet was founded after the battle. Second, concerning the expedition of Emperor Constans II to the West (661-8) and his murder, it is not easy to indicate whether the foundation of new fleet was carried out by the emperor in Sicily or not. Third, in regard to the dubious expeditjon of Constantine IV to Sicily in 688, the emperor probably did not lead the fleet to this island. Fourth, regarding the first blockade of the capital Constantinople in 674-8, historical sources do not supply enough information about the operation of the Byzantine fleets. Fifth, concerning the Bulgarian expedition by Constantine IV in 680, we know only that the emperor utilized a fleet to transport Anatolian soldiers to the Danube frontier. Sixth, as regards Justinian II's "Iussio" addressed to the pope in 687, many scholars have read karabisiani instead of the original term kabarisiani in "Iussio, " but this reading is not supported by concrete collateral evidence. Seventh, concerning the expedition of the Byzantine fleets to Carthago and the later revolt in 698, it is impossible to determine whether this fleet was the Karabisianoi or not. Eighth, as for the Bulgarian expedition by emperor Justinian II in 708, the emperor also used a fleet to transport Anatolian soldiers to the Balkans. Ninth, in regard to the punitive expeditions to Cherson by Justinian II and his downfall, the Latin source indicates that "strategos of Karabisianoi" was active in Aegean Sea in the midst of the expeditions. Tenth, the Emperor Anastasios II planned a construction project for a new fleet in 715. Eleventh is the dispatch of Byzantine fleets to Rhodes and the revolt of the Opsikion army, which give the impression that the Byzantine navy was composed of an amalgam of regional fleets. Twelfth is the 2nd defense of Constantinople, but the organization of the Byzantine fleet that defended the capital is unclear. Thirteenth, as for the revolt of Hellas and Cyclades and sea battle in 726, it is unclear whether the Karabisianoi or Kibyrrhaiotai fleets had any relation to this battle. Fourteenth, the first mention of "strategos of the Kibyrrhaiotai theme" appears in 732, but the strategos, or admiral, acted not within the territory of his charge, the southern coast of Asia Minor, but in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In these fourteen cases it is nearly impossible to attest the actual circumstances of the Kabarisianoi. In conclusion, I content that one must be very deliberate in arguing the formation and activities of the Byzantine navy or fleets during this period. As for the formative process of the maritime theme Kibyrrhaiotai, about which much is also unclear, I think that a comparison with those of the "themes" on land will be effective. |