[2] They were a cavalry corps, somewhere between one and five thousand strong, and formed part of the central reserve army, their commander bearing the then unique title of taxiarchēs.

[3][4] The presence of descendants of these men, called Gothograeci (Γοτθογραίκοι) by the chronicler Theophanes the Confessor, is attested in northern Bithynia as late as the early 8th century.

[3] In the mid-8th century, under the rule of Emperor Constantine V (r. 741–775), and as part of his measures to reduce the power of the thematic generals following the revolt of Artabasdos, the Count of the Opsician Theme, the corps was downgraded.

[2] As with the other themata, for the administration of his duties as governor of the province, the domestikos was assisted by a deputy (topotērētēs), a chief financial official (chartoularios) and a secretariat headed by a prōtokankellarios.

[12] The rural districts of the thema were raided by Seljuk Turks after the Battle of Manzikert, but Nicomedia was retained, and the area secured again under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118) with the help of the First Crusade.