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Why did Leo III divide some of the large Byzantine military districts?

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Leo III subdivided some of the large Byzantine military-district armies, known as themes, primarily to prevent their commanders from becoming too powerful. As his own career had demonstrated, these districts were so large and influential that their leaders were often tempted to attempt to seize the throne. By breaking them into smaller units, Leo III sought to reduce the vulnerability of the imperial throne to military overthrow and ensure greater stability within the empire.1