Karbeas

Karbeas (Ancient Greek: Καρβέας), also Karbaias (Καρβαίας),[1] was a Paulician leader, who, following the anti-Paulician pogroms in 843, abandoned his service in the Byzantine army and went over to the Arabs.

Karbeas belonged to a Paulician family, and entered into the Byzantine army, rising to the post of protomandator (senior staff officer) under Theodotos Melissenos, the strategos (military governor) of the Anatolic Theme.

Under the leadership of their spiritual and military head, Sergius-Tychicus, they staged a number of revolts against Byzantium from their various strongholds throughout Asia Minor, occasionally collaborating with the Arabs.

[7] With the aid of the emir of Melitene, Umar al-Aqta, Karbeas established an independent Paulician state centred on Tephrike on the Upper Euphrates, which also included the newly founded cities of Amara and Argaous.

[1] In 859, along with Umar he scored a major success in repelling a Byzantine attack on Samosata, led by Emperor Michael III (r. 842–867) and his uncle Bardas in person, taking many captives, some of whom he managed to persuade to join him.