Trebizond at the Period of Byzantine Empire (Political, economic and administrative history 395-1204)

The history of Trebizond city which founded at the southeast of the Black Sea, extends to VIII. century B.C. The most important characteristic of , which one is the major trading cities of antiquity, is its strategic location. This location gave rise to commercial activity of the city and at the same time steep mountains surrounding the city allowed to shelter it from land invasions. Trebizond, which has commercial ties with nearby cities, was also on the international trade routes. Therefore, Trebizond city has a position that is important both in regional and international trade. The city of Trebizond, which has been under the rule of the Roman Empire since the first century B.C., has continued to be a strategic port city in this period and it has also been used as a supply point in campaigns carried out by Roman armies on the eastern borders of the empire. Trebizond city and its surroundings entered into Byzantine (East Roman) domination after the division of the Roman Empire in 395. Although the sources do not give much information about the first centuries of Byzantine dominance of the city, it is seen that the city has again become important from the time of Iustinianus. The battles between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanids and the proximity of the surroundings of Trebizond to the engagement regions have caused the empire to change its policies regarding the region. Especially some political and administrative changes took place in Trebizond because of the Sassanian wars that took place in the VI. and VII. centuries. In the Byzantine-Arab wars that began in the mid-seventh century, Trebizond and its environs remained relatively remote from the attacks, and the port of Trebizond became one of the important intersections of Byzantine-Arab trade. The city of Trebizond, which was used as a supply point during the Georgian expeditions organized by Basil II, was the target of the Seljuk army after the Battle of Malazgirt. After the weakening of the central authority in the Byzantine Empire by the end of the XI. century, the domination of Gabras began in Trebizond and this period continued for about a century. Finally with the establishment of the Greek Empire in Trebizond after the IV. crusade, a new process has started for Trebizond and its environs. This thesis aims to study the political, economic, administrative and physical structure of Trebizond during the Byzantine Empire. The effects of political events on the eastern border of the Byzantine Empire and the changes in the administrative and economic structure of Byzantium to Trebizond and its surroundings are the main subjects of this study.