Acrites

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Akriten as a border guard. Medieval metal plate

The Akrites (Greek Akritai ) were the inhabitants of the Byzantine-Muslim border area (9th – 13th centuries) who, together with the themed armies , were an important part of the Byzantine border defense.

The late antique limitanei are often seen as forerunners, but this may only be partially correct, even if the Akriten did serve in garrisons or took part in campaigns. In any case, the Akriten were exempted from the sometimes oppressive taxes for their military services and were given land, which certainly further promoted their will to defend the border area. However, they also achieved a semi-autonomous position vis-à-vis the imperial government in Constantinople , which they knew how to skillfully exploit. In the 11th century the decline of the acrites began, which were now also taxed, but they can still be traced back to the time of the palaeologists . The dissolution of the Akriten, also due to the acute financial hardship of the Byzantine state at this time, had fatal effects on the Byzantine border defense in western Asia Minor and accelerated the conquest of this important region by the Seljuks .

An important source is the epic Digenis Akritas , which describes life in the border area, including the constant border fights and the code of honor of the Akrites (but also that of their Muslim opponents).

literature