“Πόλις αρχαιοτάτη και τωνγε εν τη εώα πασών αρίστη”
Ioánnis Evghenikós

Trebizond is the end of the most difficult and less hospitable sea routes on the southern shore of Pontus: a line laced beginning of the exit of the Bosphorus – the most beautiful piece of land in the world – and goes to Colchis, to current Turkish-Ukrainian border. Steep cliffs and dense forests keep them away visitors and do not allow the sea to overcome the boundaries set by the Creator of the world. “Boundary put that it will not pass away” (Ps. 103.10). Greek sailors braved the unknown and made habitable space hitherto inviolate. “They made the city in the desert”: Herakleia, Sinop, Sampsoúnda, Oínaion, Kotýora, Kerasoúnda and finally, Trapezoúnda.

Their audacity was great, but to be able to move the great famous for its fury was needed, of course, and a good knowledge of the science of navigation. Histories sailors who sacrificed their lives in the struggle with its waves have been known since ancient times. Ports safe during bad weather and were only Sinope, miles away, Trebizond, but the main port of the city, but found that two miles east Dafnoúnda in the bay, where a small hillock off the west winds. Before the city lies the promontory called Kordýli. There, Emperor of Trebizond, Alexios III Komnenos, founded a monastery dedicated to St. Fokas and erected a beacon to help sailors in the time of loneliness night. They knew little way, way about an hour, when they see one headlamp above the monastery of Saint Sophia, came to Trebizond. And if the weather would not allow, there was little harbor village Platánion named dish in the post-Byzantine era that was found west of the capital.

“Thalatta, Thalatta!”
The first reference to Trebizond, in the old days, did Xenophon, who considers colony of Sinop, with Kerasoúnda and Kotýora. There they reached the 10000 when they returned from Persia in the year 400 BC, retrieving sea, their escape. Therefore their joy was immeasurable and ‘Thalatta, Thalatta! “(” Great, great! “). And how great! It was February, the heart of winter, and the weather did not allow sea travel, especially by those places, and so they stayed there for a month, host inhabitants. For that era, it was really great to be started [trip] to Koúnaxa and searching the sea to cross the whole of Asia Minor, passing Alps Pontic – 2000 meters in the lowest headroom – and end up finding this little small town. Later in the same place it was built the Roman road which did cause a flowering city became famous later. Rare are references to other texts and nobody knows when it was founded and where its name. Nomofilaxul Ioánnis Evghénikos in his encomium site, it assigns the name of the surrounding hills, which have a trapezoidal shape. Pausanias informs us that this name had been brought by settlers from the eponymous town of Arcadia who, for some reason, had been forced to emigrate. In the fourth century BC, and other Arcadians took refuge in Trebizond, being received with much love for their former compatriots.

Roman period
Flowering era began with the Romans. These great builders of roads built an amazing way to cross the huge mountain range, Pyxis’s coming out in valley and from there, the Euphrates and the foothills of Asia Minor. Access would become thus easier and easier trade was long enough, for now there were two ways to enter: sea and land. Even today, the Roman road is the only access between shore and plateau, making Trebizond a key town in a wide area, and metropolitan capital of Pontus in the glory years. This road has eased significantly and the Roman army’s movements since then of any armed forces. As a result, the city and surroundings have acquired a very special strategic importance in defending the eastern border, always disturbed. Trade and army are the best combination for the development of a place.

In the Byzantine era
Trebizond continued to be a thriving and famous in Byzantium, especially after the fifth century and later. What we know today as Trebizond began erupting at that time in history, to know the glory and tragic fall, create monuments that have been preserved until today.

The fifth century was decisive. The presence of intense army, Byzantine defensive system development on the eastern frontier by Theodosius II, defensive constructions, all provided public security and ensured economic development. Trebizond increased continuously from Dafnoúnda port is bustling. They were built warehouses, stables, inns, knowing the transit trade blossomed. Wealth, life, movement, these are the elements that characterize the city in the late sixth century. Just then, however, the wheel of history has turned and Armenian plateau was turned into a theater of war, attacks on border becoming permanent. It tilts the balance toward one side when the other toward that Heraklios, being based in Trebizond, began to clarify the situation and to push the Persians beyond the eastern borders of the empire.

In 634, the first Arab horsemen began their offensive on army Heraklios. The new force is, every day, more and more dangerous. Buffers are lost and many refugees sheltering in Trebizond, which continues to control the only road from north to south. Events were to prove how necessary was the administrative reform of this mountainous provinces. Pontus was divided into three theme: the most important was thema Chaldeii, the capital of Trebizond. This Theme comprising three regions: Trebizond, Ghimóra and Matsouka, which will correspond to the three provinces that they will keep and Ottomans, Trebizond, Gemourá, Matsouka.

St. Theodore Gavras
This era was the most flourishing period of the city that reaches to distinguish from all the other surrounding cities. It remained wonderful era basilica of Saint Anne, the only Byzantine church that existed from that time until 1923. It was built in the years 883-884, under Basil I Macedon, by protospătarul Alexis. In the city of theme commanders residing appointed dukes, which are often in conflict with capital, and at constant war with the Arabs. One will distinguish go through heroism and martyrdom will reach the Holy Martyr Theodore Gavras, the glory of the Church.

Following year in 1071, with defeat at Mantzikert, Emperor Romanus IV captivity Dioghenis them, dynastic battles, conquering the entire interior of Asia Minor, the disappearance of thousands of Christians, Islamized and destruction of cities and rural areas. In the same period, Theodosiópolis Seljuks conquered the city, and in just three years, have gone beyond the Pontic Alps, reaching Trebizond. The ideal Islamic conquest of the city were ready to be done if the Duke Chaldeii, Theodore Gavras, not as organized his defense. Without the benefit of any help, just înarmându’s occupants managed to keep the invaders beyond the Anatolian plateau, while 22 years.

This victory and the failure to protect Constantinople region, have made Gavras to declare autonomy from the central government. In 1098, however, following an ambush Seljuks were able to make him prisoner. They went to Theodosiópolis and subjected him to extreme torture. This was their revenge for his victories continue to affront their omnipotence. Then they began to plot and their tactics that have become common in the relationship of Muslims with Christians: Islamization. They tried it, and upon Gavras, and when this was refused and remained steadfast in his refusal, Seljuks proceeded to the last resort: beheading. St. Theodore Gavras was the first new Martyr, patron of Rome as the conscience remaining, in war, their city.

Empire of Trebizond
The next milestone in the uninterrupted history occurred at the beginning of the thirteenth century, when the empire was founded from Trebizond. The continuing need to wage wars, to defend themselves and not rely on central government state aid, Constantinople, granted them a range of factors has prepared its own forms of state establishment. In the early thirteenth century, in the vortex of civil war that tormented Empire, relatives tragic emperor Andronicus I, the latter Comnen, Alexis and David, with the help of Georgian troops to their aunt, Tamara took power in Pont. This move was the result of centrifugal tendencies that have developed in Constantinople Anghelos Dynasty, ie within a period of decadence, following maintenance during their legal rights to the throne capital. In 1204, after the conquest of the capital by the participants of the Fourth Crusade, they formed their own Empire, the capital of Trebizond. Alexis I (1204-1222) became emperor and to distinguish it from other Comneni of Constantinople, has been called the Great Comnen. David, in turn, occupied territory Pelagoniei, to Herakleia and attaching it Trebizond. The path to accession to the capital administration was open.

Open way towards City were concerned to have the other Greek states which arose after the fall of Byzantium: Despotate of Epirus and the Empire of Nicaea. The latter is considered continuer Byzantine state, claiming the others to remember this. In 1214, Theodore Laskaris def David and went to Sinope army. It would be conquered and Trebizond, succeeding union of two Greek states, if Alexis had not asked for help Seljuks, who surrounded Sinope, intervening between the two camps. Thus, the Turks have saved little kingdom again arbitrating conflicts between Greeks.

Empire of Trebizond lost ideals Constantinopolitan, remaining, however, a Greek state with imperial tradition alive. And because of this, Emperor of Trebizond was called until 1261 “basileu faithful emperor of Rome”, imitating counterpart in Constantinople. After 1261, when Manuel Palaeologus of Nicaea won power in the ancient capital of the Byzantine Empire, Emperor of Trebizond and took the title of “basileu faithful and king of all the East, the Iberian (Georgia) and Perateía (Kherson), Great Comnen”. With this award, not breaking the unity of the people, but claimed Trebizond as a continuation of the imperial tradition in the East as in the West was Constantinople. For this reason, the emblem of Trebizond Empire was an eagle with one head, the symbol of dominance in the East, in opposition to Constantinople double-headed eagle, which imagined universalism restored Byzantine Empire.

Empire of Trebizond has always had its origin Constantinopolitan consciousness, and this is reflected in the organization of state and the palace who were with exactness Byzantine tradition and practice. The institutions that were created were identical copies of the institutions that existed at that historic moment in the Empire, particularly in terms of managing the state. For Trebizond, outside episodes warrior that took place in relation to Constantinople, the latter represent the heart of the nation, whose loss Hellenism Pontic will mourn bitterly, as seen from songs of mourning, of legends and traditions that have Pont emerged after the fall of Constantinople.

Empire State Great Comneni remained a Greek Hellenism to extremes. At the same time, he was the center of Hellenism pontiac, without ceasing to have a deep interest in ecumenical Hellenism and Orthodoxy ecumenical. This is obviously of concern kings to express this interest and outside Trebizond, as it did in 1341 Empress Anna Comnena, dubbed Anahoutloú, daughter of Alexis II, who renovated the Monastery of Dionysiou in St. mountain, at the request of the Venerable Dionysius and his brother, Theodosius, Metropolitan of Trebizond.

Commercial and economic center
The speed with which the kings of granting funds for such work overspend, even by will, especially Alexius III proves the state’s economic vigor, which was a center of transit trade in the East. Indeed, the geographical position of Trebizond, his proximity with diverse peoples and organization economic gave a big boost economic state and, especially, the city Trebizond. Traders flocked here from Mesopotamia, Persia, India and the port of Trebizond and Dafnoúndei port provides fast links with the Mediterranean and West. At the middle of the XIII century, Marseille have a trade agreement with Trebizond, followed as Genoa and Venice to open their own commercial agencies in the city, with deposits of huge size. The crowd of traders Greeks, Venetians, Genoese, circasieni, boxes, Persians, Turks, Georgians etc. made him a cosmopolitan city, the consequence being that a multi-ethnic city of Trebizond, with a highly flourishing economy. Cardinal Vissarion called him, characteristically, “joint workshop and store whole world.”

The presence of European traders, especially those Genovese, was not without problems. Episodes hot and armed conflicts had to occur for this reason, over time, as happened in 1418 and 1425 under Alexius IV, when the inhabitants of Trebizond Genoese gave a lesson impertinence: ‘ve occupied deposits and they punished exemplarily. Since then, the Europeans have never had the courage to show superiority frank known and taxes imposed on what was looking to grow revenues were townspeople. Intense commercial and economic activity has become a point of attraction for constantinopolitanii who were facing huge economic problems.

In 1341 Trebizond was hit by plague. The victims were numerous and, in a city with an economic activity so intense natural consequence would have been the economic recession with unforeseen consequences.

However, this has not happened, because instead of those who lost their lives was taken by emigrants from Constantinople and other regions, in most cases, were merchants or members of large families with economic potential. Their presence helped further development of trade, but has caused some political animosities that have evolved in internal conflicts between local aristocracy and small constantinopolitanii who claimed hegemony over the Pontic empire. Many of these conflicts have endangered the very existence of his city was saved at the last moment. Foreign machinations, which were few, were always people to coalesce around self-awareness Greek.

Its economic power and offered Trebizond ability to maintain a strong military force, the great need for ensuring the integrity of the empire. Being an island in a sea of ​​Islam, was forced to take action against the Turks lasting, Mongols, etc. Turcomania Countless were the attacks they suffered, especially from the Turkish emirs and Kastamónia Amidala, whose ideal target ethnic conquest of Trebizond. Thus, in this international situation, the policy of kings, many of whom were men of ability, had two aspects: economic development and territorial integrity. These two issues were the causes of war or state where economic interests were threatened by enemies small empire.

In 1224 the Emperor Andronicus I, the city has gone through the greatest danger that has ever threatened. Seljuks of Iconium, led by the son of Sultan there, Menelik, besieged the city. Never inhabitants have met a terrible sight. Rumors began to circulate, causing great panic. Many fled to save themselves, and among them is noble. Emperor Andronicus himself alone with the residents, whom he armed, asking them to help the army. He himself developed an ingenious defense plan, the Turkish attack suffered heavy casualties. As if this were not enough, the planned counteroffensive Andronicus and destroyed the invaders and took him prisoner Menelik. Historian and linguist Anthimos Papadopoulos believes that this battle is one of the greatest achievements of Byzantine Hellenism. Nobles were back in town after things were quiet, hoping to rejoin the ordinance before The King gathered the entire population, to which I was humiliated, and forced to leave Trebizond.

Not long after that, the Turks of Sinope seized a ship that Imperial had failed on a beach; retaliation, the king surrounded the city and I defeated the Turks. Considering, however, that the city can not keep without creating big problems empire, he accepted the return of the ship and regrouped at Trebizond. Quickening Greeks reached its peak.

But the Turks have not forgotten this episode, trying, after a century, to avenge. 1324 was another year full of danger; This time, the threat came from the sea. Sinop Turks, who had become fearsome pirates in the Black Sea, landed outside the city, destroying suburbs. As in, perhaps, in the city where Emperor Alexios II would not be able to stop them. On this occasion it highlighted the weaknesses of the fortifications. Alexios, who have great organizational skills, fortified beach, organizing a military port on the promontory Kordýli, 27 kilometers from Trebizond to grant greater freedom of movement of the fleet. Later, his nephew, Alexios III, founded there, inside the walls, the monastery of St. Fokas, to strengthen defense and border guards being monks.

Wars with the Turks continued, taking a turn increasingly wilder. The initiative would be taken over by the Ottomans, who wanted to unify with the rest of Asia Minor, Pontus, Trebizond constituting great obstacle. Conquering small empire continued to belong to the Islamic ideal, but attempts remained nefructuoase Greeks always managed to come out winners.

The fall of Trebizond
Things began to worsen after 1451, when the Ottoman Sultan Murat II died, the heir Mehmet II, remained in history with the nickname the Conqueror. The new sultan skills were well known to be imminent catastrophe loom, and history seemed to take another turn.

For a while, however, the situation has continued known. Mehmet had loader capital and had no time for other Greeks. At this juncture, prevăzătorul Emperor of Trebizond, John IV, called the Kaloyan, was prepared for what could be worse, both in the military and in the diplomatic. And when the capital was conquered and Trebizond was filled with refugees, he felt his breath on the nape Mehmet. He established contacts with leaders of small statelets Muslim around and Venetians, worrying it on Mehmet, who could discern the seed of an attempted revival of Byzantium, knowing that John comes from great family Byzantine Comnenian and it is natural to fight for the rebirth of his nation . Thus making known their intentions and fanfare, and being concerned about the Balkans, the pasha ordered Amaseía, Hitír to attack Trebizond. To save the city, John accepted the peace terms imposed by Hitír, who feared to enter the city because of the plague that raged again, but has become a city of Trebizond subject Sultan: beginning of the end.

In 1458, King John IV, after 12 years of reign martyr dies, leaving him heir to his brother David, who was to be the last Greek emperor of the East. He continued the policy of John, establishing contacts with Pope Pius II, through his intermediary Cardinal Vissarion, the Venetians, Hungarians, etc. Death agony is not a good counselor Mehmet the Conqueror is his movements, angry and decided to finish once and for all Trebizond. Starts its campaign in 1460, and in July 1461 siege begins, which lasts one month. King David had provided 20,000 troops and 30 ships, but did not dare to resist listening to the advice of his aides, Georgios Amiroútzis who advised him to surrender the city. A supervised maybe drawing up terms of surrender, which it forced the sultan to respect the right to life of the conquered. It was wrong, but Mehmet entered the city triumphant winner on August 15, after previously signed an agreement with David to them to spare his life and inhabitants. Has not held any promise city was drowned in blood. David, along with family and nobles, was taken to Constantinople, settling later in Serres and in 1463 in Adrianopolis, refusing to change their faith. In Trebizond, life and old values ​​had lost any value: monuments were destroyed, churches were converted into mosques, youth were enrolled as janissaries.

Greek territory that last fall made the East to identify the Ottoman Empire, the Black Sea became a great Islamic both regions will live on the periphery of history. Hellenism, once past the shock of the great falls, will go through a period of glory by crucifixion and resurrection, living with hope of deliverance and the example of King David, the Grand Comnen. The hidden and unspoken, will teach the generations orthodoxy and invaluable treasure of language by hymnology Church, soldierly exploits and folk songs.

Recorded: Ghiorghe Th. Príntzipas writer

Source: Magazine Pemptousia, no. 3