THE DECLINE OF THE OPSIKIAN

T. C. LOUNGHIS THE DECLINE Ol THE OPSIKIAN DOMESTICATES AND T H E RISE O F T H E DOMESTICATE O F T H E SCHOI AE In this brief note I intend to put forward the hypothesis that the tate during the so-called Dark Ages ot the Opsikian army - guarded b> God... More

T. C. LOUNGHIS THE DECLINE Ol THE OPSIKIAN DOMESTICATES AND T H E RISE O F T H E DOMESTICATE O F T H E SCHOI AE In this brief note I intend to put forward the hypothesis that the tate during the so-called Dark Ages ot the Opsikian army - guarded b> God divided impressions in the mind of subsequent generations 1 , but also initiated a number of crucial changes that were to regenerate Byzantine militar) institutions as early as m the second half of the eighth century At some stage not very long after the crushing of the Opsikiansupported orthodox emperor Artavasdos 2 and, more evidently, immediateh following the mutiny of 766 1 described in contused and horrified tones b\ 1 Literature on the Opsikion and its sub divisions Ju A KLL\KOVSKY Kvoprosuo femach Vizantijskoj imperii, Izbornik Kicvsknjposviascennyj, Τ D Flounskomu Kiev 1904, 82-118 (= IDEM Istonja Vizantu III 602-717, Kiev 1915 Exkurs IV 399-418 On the subdivision of the Optimati, IDEM, Κ voprosu ob imeni ι istoni ferny «Opsi Less