When the Abbasids crushed the revolt of Babak Khorramdin in 838, many remaining Khurramite rebels fled to Byzantine territory and were accepted by Theophilos and placed under the command of Theophobos. They were called "Persians" by Byzantine chroniclers and proved valuable for the Empire which was experiencing a shortage of experienced soldiers at the time. However, after the Battle of Anzen, some Azerbaijani Khurramites withdrew to Sinope and proclaimed Theophobos emperor. By 840, Theophilos had threatened Theophobos and persuaded him into accepting a pardon. He then redistributed the Khurramite troops throughout the themes as garrison soldiers.
when the abbasids crushed the revolt of babak khorramdin in 838 many remaining khurramite rebels fled to byzantine territory and were accepted by theophilos and placed under the command of theophobos they were called "persians" by byzantine chroniclers and proved valuable for the empire which was experiencing a shortage of experienced soldiers at the time however after the battle of anzen some azerbaijani khurramites withdrew to sinope and proclaimed theophobos emperor by 840 theophilos had threatened theophobos and persuaded him into accepting a pardon he then redistributed the khurramite troops throughout the themes as garrison soldiers