Constantine Kontomytes

Constantine Kontomytes or Contomytes (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Κοντομύτης, fl.

As the governor (strategos) of the Thracesian Theme, Constantine Kontomytes inflicted a severe defeat on the Cretan Saracens in 841, when they raided the rich monastic community of Mount Latros.

[1][2] Shortly before or soon after, Constantine's daughter married the magistros Bardas, who was the nephew of Empress Theodora on his mother's side and of Patriarch Photios on his father's.

[2][3] In 859, Emperor Michael III (r. 842–867) sent him to Sicily at the head of 300 ships, to confront the Arabs on the island.

The Byzantine army suffered a major defeat by the Arabs under Abbas ibn Fadhl, however, and were forced back onto their ships.