A major reason for hostility toward Byzantine Armenians was the Armenian impulse to local autonomy and their will to remain distinctly Armenian. In no other region of the empire did the inhabitants have a tradition of being so well armed and prone to rely on themselves and their own family groupings and notables. The intractability of the Armenians was one of their hallmarks during Byzantine and Arab rule.

A major reason for hostility toward Byzantine Armenians was the Armenian impulse to local autonomy and their will to remain distinctly Armenian. In no other region of the empire did the inhabitants have a tradition of being so well armed and prone to rely on themselves and their own family groupings and notables. The intractability of the Armenians was one of their hallmarks during Byzantine and Arab rule.