DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4680#0115
446 XI. A PAM EI A.
centuries, we can see that as Apameia decayed, Aurokra grew
(§25).
Moreover Apameia had not the military character that was needed
in the Eyzantine administration. Like Laodiceia and Colossai, it was
capable of defence with careful fortification, good soldiers, and vigilant
discipline ; hut what was needed in the troubles of the Byzantine period
was a fortress that Avas by nature almost impregnable against a sudden
raid without much skill or care among its defenders \ Such a site
was found at Khoma-Siblia ; and later history shows that that fortress
became the centre of administration for the district under the system
of Themata. Accordingly we find that the military capital, Siblia
or Soublaion, attracted the roads; and in later centuries, though we
hear often of marches and military operations on the line between
the Lycos valley and the inner country, Apameia is never mentioned,
but only Lampe or Siblia or Khoma. The name Khoma was applied
both to the whole military district which had Siblia for its central
fortress, and to the fortress itself. Thus everything points to the
commanding importance of Siblia, and to the insignificance of Apameia.
See pp. 220 f.
The only interesting figure in its later history is Konon, a bishop of
the fifth century, who, on the outbreak of the Isaurian revolt against
the Emperor Zeno, joined the insurgents, and deserted his Apamean
flock. When the rebels had been defeated at Kotiaion, and their
leader Ninilingis slain, the warlike bishop helped to lead the relics of
the insurgent army to Isauria, and three years later he perished when
besieging the Isaurian capital Claudiopolis2.
Apameia still appears as a bishopric in 787 and 879, when its
bishops attended the Councils held in Nicaia and Constantinople: its
existence as a city continued unbroken, as we cannot doubt, down to
the Turkish conquest.
During the Arab wars, Apameia cannot have suffered so frequently
as the cities on or near any of the direct roads towards Constanti-
nople. But the Arab raids were extended over all the country towards
the west. In 713 they took and pillaged Antioch of Pisidia, and
Apameia probably met the same fate either then or later.
§ 25. The Tuekish Conquest. In the earliest inroads of the
Turks into Asia Minor, Apameia passed into their hands. Already in
1070 they swept over the Lycos valley. In the arrangement which
they concluded shortly afterwards with the Byzantine government,
Apameia formed part of the territory ceded to them ; and the frontier
1 See pp. 14, 213. 2 Theophan. p. 138.
centuries, we can see that as Apameia decayed, Aurokra grew
(§25).
Moreover Apameia had not the military character that was needed
in the Eyzantine administration. Like Laodiceia and Colossai, it was
capable of defence with careful fortification, good soldiers, and vigilant
discipline ; hut what was needed in the troubles of the Byzantine period
was a fortress that Avas by nature almost impregnable against a sudden
raid without much skill or care among its defenders \ Such a site
was found at Khoma-Siblia ; and later history shows that that fortress
became the centre of administration for the district under the system
of Themata. Accordingly we find that the military capital, Siblia
or Soublaion, attracted the roads; and in later centuries, though we
hear often of marches and military operations on the line between
the Lycos valley and the inner country, Apameia is never mentioned,
but only Lampe or Siblia or Khoma. The name Khoma was applied
both to the whole military district which had Siblia for its central
fortress, and to the fortress itself. Thus everything points to the
commanding importance of Siblia, and to the insignificance of Apameia.
See pp. 220 f.
The only interesting figure in its later history is Konon, a bishop of
the fifth century, who, on the outbreak of the Isaurian revolt against
the Emperor Zeno, joined the insurgents, and deserted his Apamean
flock. When the rebels had been defeated at Kotiaion, and their
leader Ninilingis slain, the warlike bishop helped to lead the relics of
the insurgent army to Isauria, and three years later he perished when
besieging the Isaurian capital Claudiopolis2.
Apameia still appears as a bishopric in 787 and 879, when its
bishops attended the Councils held in Nicaia and Constantinople: its
existence as a city continued unbroken, as we cannot doubt, down to
the Turkish conquest.
During the Arab wars, Apameia cannot have suffered so frequently
as the cities on or near any of the direct roads towards Constanti-
nople. But the Arab raids were extended over all the country towards
the west. In 713 they took and pillaged Antioch of Pisidia, and
Apameia probably met the same fate either then or later.
§ 25. The Tuekish Conquest. In the earliest inroads of the
Turks into Asia Minor, Apameia passed into their hands. Already in
1070 they swept over the Lycos valley. In the arrangement which
they concluded shortly afterwards with the Byzantine government,
Apameia formed part of the territory ceded to them ; and the frontier
1 See pp. 14, 213. 2 Theophan. p. 138.