This, along with a lack of mention of civil officials attached to the naval theme, most probably reflects a division of tasks: the strategos of Samos and his officials were responsible for furnishing the ships and crews of the thematic fleet as well as defending the islands, while the mainland coast, with its cities and population, came under the control of the Thracesian strategos and his officials, who were responsible for their taxation and defence.
Isto, xunto coa ausencia de oficiais civís nos documentos parece indicar unha división de tarefas: o strategos de Samos e os seus oficiais eran responsbeis dos barcos e tripulacións da frota temática así como de defender as illas, mentres a costa, coas súas cidades e poboación, quedaban baixo o control do strategos tracesiano e os seus oficiais, que asumían o control dos seus impostos e defensa.