Άλλα Ονόματα Kaloioannes, Lazos. Τόπος και Χρόνος Γέννησης 1262/3, Trebizond. Τόπος και Χρόνος Θανάτου 16 August 1297, Limnia

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1 Περίληψη : Member of the dynasty of the Grand Komnenoi, he was also known as Kaloioannes and Lazos. In 1280 he succeeded his brother George to the throne of Trebizond. During his reign he restored the relations between the Empire of Trebizond and Constantinople, and he successfully suppressed the rebellions against him, organised by members of his family and the local aristocracy. He died on 16 August 1297 in Limnia. Άλλα Ονόματα Kaloioannes, Lazos Τόπος και Χρόνος Γέννησης 1262/3, Trebizond Τόπος και Χρόνος Θανάτου 16 August 1297, Limnia Κύρια Ιδιότητα Emperor of Trebizond ( ) 1. Biography John II was born in Trebizond in 1262/1263. He was the son of Manuel I Grand Komnenos, emperor of Trebizond ( ) and of Irene Syrikaina, and the brother of George Grand Komnenos ( ). He also had two sisters whose names are not known. The future Emperors Andronikos II Grand Komnenos ( ) and Theodora Grand Komnene ( ) were half-siblings of John II. John II Grand Komnenos ascended to the throne in 1280 and remained in power until his death, with a brief respite during the short reign of Theodora. In 1282 he married Eudokia Palaiologina, daughter of Michael VIII Palaiologos ( ) and had two sons, the future Emperors Alexios II Grand Komnenos ( ) and Michael Grand Komnenos ( ). He died on 16 August 1297 in Limnia and his remains were buried in the monastery of Theotokos Chrysokephalos. John II bestowed many honours upon the monastery of Panagia Soumela and was, together with his wife, the donor of the church of St Gregory of Nyssa; the portraits of the couple were preserved in the church until Internal affairs In 1280 John II successfully usurped the throne from his brother George Grand Komnenos ( ), who favoured relations with Iberia (Georgia). In 1282 the house of the Grand Komnenoi was allied by marriage with the house of the Palaiologoi, with the marriage of John II to Eudokia Palaiologina, an event greatly desired by Michael VIII Palaiologos. However, this act of the Trapezuntine emperor displeased the local aristocracy, who opposed to the Byzantine Empire. John was forced temporarily to discontinue negotiations for the marriage. The conflict between the aristocracy and the emperor led to a revolt in 1281, organised by a representative of the local aristocracy, Papadopoulos. The rebel captured John II, however, the emperor s supporters managed to negotiate his release. John II was finally married to Eudokia in Constantinople in1282. The local archontes, in an effort to overthrow the emperor while he was still in Constantinople, secretly conspired with the king of Iberia David V Narin. They encouraged him to attack the Empire and besiege Trebizond in April 1282 but without success. Due to this, John II hastened to leave Constantinople; he arrived in Trebizond on April 25, 1283 and was immediately confronted with the internal conflict tormenting the city. The next year George Grand Komnenos ( ) campaigned against Trebizond, in an effort to gain back his throne. Members Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 1/6

2 of the aristocracy with ties to Constantinople had treacherously surrendered George to the Mongol Chan of Baghdad, Abaga. 1 George was released after Abaga s death in 1282, and tried to take advantage of the discontent of the local nobility against his brother and gain their support. However, John II managed to suppress the revolt and imprison George. In 1284/1285, John II was attacked by his half-sister Theodora Grand Komnene ( ) and lost power temporarily. At the same time the Turkmens captured and devastated Chalybia, a very wealthy area, known for its mines. John II Grand Komnenos, who had possibly fled to Tripolis of the Pontos, regrouped his forces within two years, and in 1287 he successfully reclaimed the throne, forcing Theodora to leave Trebizond and flee to Georgia. Despite the internal conflicts and revolts, the reign of John II Grand Komnenos ( / ) was marked by an augmentation in numismatic circulation and prosperity in trade. 3. Foreign affairs 3.1. Relations with Constantinople With the ascend of John II to the Trapezuntine throne, the anti-unionist faction formed in Constantinople after the union of the Churches saw in him the defender of Orthodoxy and legitimate heir of the Komnenoi, who would reclaim the Constantinopolitan throne from the usurper Michael VIII Palaiologos ( ). 2 His proclamation as Emperor of the Romans greatly strengthened the possibility of his legitimate claims to the throne of Constantinople. Michael VIII, sensing the danger, sent consecutive embassies pressuring John II to abandon his title. After their failure he offered his daughter s hand in marriage twice. Initially, John II Grand Komnenos was forced to cease negotiations due to pressure from the local aristocracy. However, he later focused on the marriage alliance with the house of the Palaiologoi. His marriage to Eudokia Palaiologina in 1282 marked the beginning of better and closer relations between Constantinople and Trebizond. John II later used the altered title Faithful basileus and emperor of all East, Iberia and Perateia, even though he had agreed to assume the lower title of despotes. 3 It is possible that it was at that time when the double-headed eagle was designated as the emblem of the Palaiologoi, while the Grand Komnenoi kept as their own the symbol of the Roman Empire, the eagle Relations with the West After the capture of the Byzantine Acra in 1291 by the Mamluks, the Muslim rulers of Egypt, John II received a proposal from Pope Nicolas IV ( ) to take part in a Crusade for the reconquest of the Holy Lands. This proposal indirectly included collaboration with the Mongols of Persia, with whom Trebizond had good relations at the time. 4 However, the internal strife tormenting the empire did not allow John to answer the papal call. In 1292 the arrival at Trebizond of an embassy from Edward I is reported; John II Grand Komnenos was the first emperor of Trebizond to have diplomatic relations with Britain. 1. George Grand Komnenos was betrayed by members of the local aristocracy and the imperial family. See Bryer, A., The Fate of George Komnenos, ruler of Trebizond, Byzantinische Zeitrschrift 66 (1973), pp According to Metropolitan Chrysanthos, John II received an embassy offering him the Constantinopolitan throne. He refused, fearing an attack from the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. See Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, «Η Εκκλησία της Τραπεζούντος», Αρχείον Πόντου 4-5 (Athens 1933), pp See Βαρζός, Κ., «Οι τρεις γάμοι και τα τέκνα του Μανουήλ Α Μεγάλου Κομνηνού ( ), αυτοκράτορα της Τραπεζούντας», Βυζαντινά 11 (1982), pp Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 2/6

3 4. The relations between Trebizond and the Mongols became stronger because of the family ties between John II Grand Komnenos and the Han Abakha, who had married an illegitimate daughter of Michael VIII Palaiologos. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), p. 29. Βιβλιογραφία : Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, "Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος", Αρχείον Πόντου, 4/5, 1933, Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 1 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Hendy M.F., Studies in the Βyzantine Μonetary Εconomy c , Cambridge Mass Janssens E., Trébizonde en Colchide, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles 1969, Travaux de la Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres XL Miller W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire of the Byzantine Era, , London 1926 Γεωργιάδης Θ., Εγκυκλοπαίδεια του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού. Πόντος. Ιστορία, Λαογραφία και Πολιτισμός, Θεσσαλονίκη 1991 Bryer A., "The Fate of George Komnenos, ruler of Trebizond", Byzantinische Zeitschrift, 66, 1973, Kuršanskis M., "L usurpation de Théodora Grande Comnène", Revue des Études Byzantines, 33, 1975, de Vajay S., "Essai chronologique à propos de la famille du Grand-Comnène Manuel ", Byzantinische Forschungen, 6, 1979, Βαρζός K., "Οι τρεις γάμοι και τα τέκνα του Μανουήλ Α Μεγάλου Κομνηνού ( ), αυτοκράτορα της Τραπεζούντας", Βυζαντινά, 11, 1982, Talbot A.M., "John II Komnenos", Α. Kazhdan (ed.), The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium 2, Oxford - Νew York 1991, 1047 "Κομνηνός, Ιωάννης ΙΙ", E. Trapp, H. Beyer, I. Leontiades (ed.), Prosopographisches Lexicon der Palaiologenzeit 5, Wien 1981, , αρ Δικτυογραφία : Empire of Trebizond EMPIRE of TREBIZOND. John II, with Alexius II Γλωσσάριo : archon Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 3/6

4 Term that designates a governor in general. When it is not used in a technical sense, it denotes members of the aristocracy, high officers of the byzantine empire and it is even used for independent princes. despotes Title introduced in the 12th century. In administrative hierarchy, the office of despotes was under the emperor and the coemperor. From the 14 th century onwards, the title was given to the governors of the Byzantine Peloponnese. donor Whoever subscribes, financialy, to the errection of a certain structure (monument etc). In the case of the buildings, donors might lawfully relate to them via a special connection (usufruct or other). khan (Ilkhan), khagan This title was used in Turkic and Mongolian languages to designate the supreme ruler. The Byzantines used it to refer to the rulers of the Avars, Khazars, Turks and Bulgarians. Πηγές Bekker, I. (ed.), Georgii Pachymeris, De Michaele et Andronico Palaelogis libri tredecim (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1835). Bekker, I. Schopen, L. (ed.), Nicephori Gregorae, Byzantina Historia 2 (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1830). Lampsides, O. (ed.), «Μιχαήλ του Παναρέτου περί των Μεγάλων Κομνηνών», Aρχείον Πόντου 22 (1958), pp Παραθέματα John IIʹs reign according to the Chronicle of Michael Panaretos Τῷ γοῦν αὐτῷ ἔτει διεδέξατο τὰ σκῆπτρα ὁ β ος ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, ὁ κῦρ Ἰωάννης ὁ μέγας Κομνηνός. Καὶ μετὰ ἐνιαυτὸν ἕνα ἐπῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἡ ἀποστασία τοῦ Παπαδοπούλου ἀλλ ἐλευθερωθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν Πόλιν καὶ συνεζεύχθη τῇ θυγατρὶ μὲν κῦρ Μιχαὴλ βασιλέως τοῦ Παλαιολόγου, ἀδελφῇ δὲ κῦρ Ἀνδρονίκου βασιλέως τοῦ Παλαιολόγου, κυρᾷ Εὐδοκία Κομνηνῇ τῇ Παλαιολογίνῃ, τῇ πορφυρογεννήτῳ Ἰστέον δὲ ὅτι, ἔτι ζῶν ὁ κῦρ Μιχαὴλ ὁ βασιλεύς, ἐγένετο ὁ γάμος τοῦ μεγάλου Κομνηνοῦ Ἰωάννου μετὰ τῆς Παλαιολογίνης. [...] Μετὰ δὲ τὸ ςʹʹψʹʹϰʹʹ ἔτος, Ἀπριλίου μηνός, ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰβηρίας Δαβὶδ καὶ ἐπεριώρισε τὴν Τραπεζοῦντα, ἀλλὰ ἀπεστράφη κενός. Ἐν δὲ τῷ ςψϰαʹ ἔτει, μηνὶ Ἀπριλίῳ εἰκοστῇ πέμπτῃ, ἰνδικτιῶνος ια ης, κατέλαβεν ἐκ τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ἐν Τραπεζοῦντι ὁ μέγας Κομνηνὸς κῦρ Ἰωάννης σὺν τῇ Παλαιολογίνῃ, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ, καὶ ἐγεννήθη ὁ μέγας Κομνηνός, ὁ κῦρ Ἀλέξιος, τῷ ςψϰβʹ ἔτει. Εἶτα ἐγένετο ἡ τοῦ Κομνηνοῦ κῦρ Γεωργίου ἐπιδρομὴ καὶ κατάσχεσις, ὃν καὶ Πλάνον ἔλεγον, καὶ μετ αὐτοῦ ἡ ἐπίθεσις καὶ τὸ βασίλειον καὶ ἡ ἐξαίφνης φυγὴ κυρᾶς Θεοδώρας τῆς Κομνηνῆς, θυγατρὸς πρώτης τοῦ μεγάλου Κομνηνοῦ κῦρ Μανουὴλ ἐκ τῆς ἐξ Ἰβηρίας Ρουσουντάνας. Καὶ πάλιν ἀπεκατέστη εἰς τὸ σκαμνὶν ὁ Καλοϊωάννης ὁ Κομνηνὸς καὶ βασιλεύσας τὰ πάντα ἔτη ὀκτωκαίδεκα ἐκοιμήθη ἐν τοῖς Λιμνίοις μηνὶ Αὐγούστῳ εἰς τὰς ιςʹ, ἡμέρᾳ ςʹ, ἰνδικτιῶνος ι ης, ἔτους ςωεʹ. Ἐν γὰρ τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ παρέλαβον οἱ Τοῦρκοι τὴν Χαλυβίαν καὶ γέγονε παρ αὐτῶν μεγάλη ἐπιδρομή, ὥστε ἀοίκους γενέσθαι τὰς χώρας ὅλας. Ἐπεὶ καὶ ζῶν ἔτι ἐκομίσθη τὸ λείψανον αὐτοῦ ἐν Τραπεζοῦντι καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν τῷ ναῷ τῆς Χρυσοκεφάλου. Lampsides, O. (ed.), «Μιχαήλ του Παναρέτου περί των Μεγάλων Κομνηνών», Aρχείον Πόντου 22 (1958), p. 62. Χρονολόγιο 1262/3: Birth of John II Grand Komnenos 1280: Successful conspiracy against George Grand Komnenos. John II becomes emperor 1281: Revolt led by the representative of the local aristocracy Papadopoulos. Imprisonment and release of John II Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 4/6

5 1282: Marriage of John II to Eudokia, daughter of Michael VIII Palaiologos in Constantinople. The title of the Emperor of Trebizond is slihgtly altered April 1282: Conspiracy of the Trapezuntine aristocracy with the king of Iberia David V. Unsuccessful siege of Trebizond by David V 25 April 1283: Arrival in Trebizond of the imperial couple John II Grand Komnenos and Eudokia Palaiologina 1284: George Grand Komnenos unsuccessfully reclaims his throne and is captured 1284/5: The Amitiotai Turks attack Chalybia. Plunder of the metal mines and the surrounding area 1284/5: Theodora Grand Komnene overthrows her half brother John II 1287: John II is restored to the throne 1292: Embassy from English King Edward I arrives to the Empire of Trebizond 16 Αυγούστου 1297: Death of John II at Limnia Βοηθ. Κατάλογοι List of emperors of the Empire of Trebizond Alexios I ( ) Andronikos I (Gidon) ( ) John I (Αxouchos) ( ) Manuel II ( ) Andronikos II ( ) George (Planos) ( ) John II ( ) Theodora (1285) John II (again ) Alexios II ( ) Andronikos III ( ) Manuel II (1332) Basil ( ) Eirene Palaiologina ( ) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 5/6

6 Anna (Αnachoutlou) ( ) John III ( ) Michael ( ) Alexios III ( ) Manuel III ( ) Alexios IV ( ) John IV ( ) Alexios V (1458) David ( ) Δημιουργήθηκε στις 20/5/2017 Σελίδα 6/6