Dyrrhachium (theme)

Theme of Dyrrhachium
Δυρράχιον, θέμα Δυρραχίου
Thema e Durrësit
Provintia Dirrachii et Arbani
Theme of the Eastern Roman Empire
9th century–1205

Theme of Dyrrhachium (Thema Dyrrhachii) in the western Balkans on the southern Adriatic coast.
CapitalDyrrhachium
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Established
9th century
• Norman occupation
1081
• End of Norman occupation
1084
• Dissolution and capital surrendered to the Venetians
1205
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Epirus Nova
Duchy of Durazzo (Republic of Venice)
Arbanon
Despotate of Epirus
Today part ofAlbania
Common languages:
  • Medieval Greek (official)
  • Old Albanian
  • Old Slavonic (minority)
  • Latin (ecclesiastical)

The Theme of Dyrrhachium (Medieval Greek: θέμα Δυρραχίου; Albanian: Thema e Durrësit), also referred to at the time as provintia Dirrachii et Arbani, was a Byzantine military-civilian province (theme). It encompassed the Adriatic coastal regions of what is now Albania, among other areas.

Established in the 9th century and named after its capital, Dyrrhachium (modern-day Durrës), the theme was dissolved in 1205 following the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade. The former capital would subsequently come under Venetian control, leading to the establishment of the short-lived Duchy of Durazzo.