The "Karabisianoi" were greatly strengthened under Emperor Justinian II, who settled several thousand Mardaites to serve as rowers and marines along the southern coasts of Asia Minor. Justinian also created a separate theme and fleet for southern Greece, named "Hellas". The "Karabisianoi" played a major role in the failed expedition to recover Carthage in 697–698, and led the revolt that installed the admiral Apsimar (Tiberios III) on the throne. The last mention of the "stratēgos" of the "Karabisianoi" is in 710/711, and it is not until 732 that his chief successor, the "stratēgos" of the Cibyrrhaeot Theme, is mentioned. This has led to two different suggestions as to the date and reason of the disbandment of the "Karabisianoi". One view holds that this was after the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople (717–718), , either due to poor performance during the previous years or because they assisted in a rebellion against Emperor Leo III the Isaurian (), while the others hold that it happened as late as , after another unsuccessful revolt in Сyclades against Emperor Leo III.