The Karabisianoi (Greek: Καραβισιάνοι), sometimes anglicized as
the Carabisians, were the mainstay of the Byzantine navy from
the mid-7th century until the early 8th century. The name
derives from the Greek karabos or karabis (Greek: κάραβος,
κάραβις) for "ship", and literally means "people of the ships,
sea-men". The Karabisianoi were the first permanent naval
establishment of the Byzantine Empire, formed to confront the
Muslim expansion at sea. They were disbanded and replaced with a
series of maritime themes some time in 718–730. History and role
The Karabisianoi were established sometime in the second half of
the 7th century in response to the Muslim conquests. Various
scholars have suggested that it evolved from the remainders of
the old quaestura exercitus or the late Roman field army of the
Illyricum, but these suggestions remain hypothetical. The date
of the fleet's establishment is unclear: some scholars propose
that it was established in the 650s or 660s by Emperor Constans
II (r. 641–668), followi