Bithynia et Pontus
The area was a part of the Persian Empire, that after Alexander, became part of Kingdom of Lesser Armenia. In II century BC this province became pat of the Kingdom of Pontus. After the Romans took the area, it was part of the province of Bithynia et Pontus, and then after the reforms of Diocletian, it was part of the province of Lesser Armenia. Its capital was the town of Colonia (Κολώνεια, now Şebinkarahisar), above the headwaters of the Lykos River now Kelkit River). In the 7th century it was part of the Byzantine province of Armeniac Theme, and later of Chaldia, before finally becoming the seat of its own separate theme by 863. The area was attacked by Arab raiders in 778 and in 940, but remained in Byzantine hands until about 1071.