The Mardaites () were a cluster of Aramaic-speaking tribal groups, inhabiting the highland regions of southern Anatolia, Isauria, Syria, and Lebanon. Their origins are unknown, but they may have been of Persian or Armenian origin. What's certain's that they were Christians, probably Monophysite or Monothelite. There they were conscripted as rowers and marines in the Byzantine navy for several centuries. Others however remained behind and continued raiding Muslim-held territories until their chie… (More on Mardaites)