ABSTRACT
Heraclius' supposed thematic reorganisation had no obvious results. Irfan Shahid is aware of this, and points out that the themes supposedly established by Heraclius had no chance before the Arab conquest to develop beyond their "primitive" stage. The Arabic sources name the ajnad, from south to north, as Filastin, al-Urdunn, Dimashq and Hims. The pattern of administration reflected through the later Arab ajnad must also reflect these developments. The weaknesses of the defences in the East are certainly, revealed in the history of first the Persian and then the Arab attacks during the first half of the seventh century. Shahid believes that Heraclius created the first themata. The Arab sources mention Heraclius' appointment of military commanders for Palestine and at Damascus, Emesa and Antioch, and there is no reason to assume that these were other than duces of the traditional establishment.
