As such, it became a major base for the frequent Muslim invasions and raids into Byzantine territories, and was often targeted by the Byzantines in return.

It was conquered by the Arabs under Habib ibn Maslama during the reign of Caliph Umar (r. 634-644), and became a base for the annual invasions launched against Byzantine Anatolia under the Caliph Muawiyah (r. 661-680). The Byzantines reclaimed