reference points to a creation as early as 626, but the first confirmed occurrence is in 680. It is possible that it also initially included the area of Thrace, which seems to have been administered jointly with the Opsikion in the late 7th and early 8th centuries.

The unique origin of the Opsikion was reflected in several aspects of the theme's organization. Thus the title of its commander was not strategos (?????????, "general") as with the other themes, but komes