Άλλες Ονομασίες Γεωγραφική Θέση Northeast Asia Minor. Ιστορική Περιοχή Chaldia

Περίληψη : The historical region of Chaldia survived throughout the Byzantine period as part of the Early Byzantine provinces organized in Pontos, of the themes of Armeniakon and Chaldia (Middle Byzantine Period), of the autonomous principality of the same name (1091/5-1098, 1126-1140) and of the Empire of Trebizond (1204-1461). Chaldia played a vital role in the defense of the coastline of the Black Sea. Άλλες Ονομασίες Γεωγραφική Θέση Northeast Asia Minor Ιστορική Περιοχή Chaldia Διοικητική Υπαγωγή Province of Pontos Polemoniakos, province of Helonopontos, province of Armenia Ι, province of Armenia ΙΙΙ, theme of Armeniakon, theme of Chaldia, autonomous Chaldia, Empire of Trebizond, autonomous Mesochaldia (Inner Chaldia) 1. Location The historical area of Chaldia, a territory on eastern Pontos in northeast Asia Minor, constituted, throughout the entire Byzantine Period, a part of a bigger administrative unity. 1 On the southeast and south of Chaldia expanded Armenian and Cappadocian territories; on the north, the coast was washed by the Black Sea; on the northeast of the region of Chaldia the roman coast of Pontos blended into the land of west Iberia, Lazika; the territories of Western Pontos stretched away on its west. 2. Integration into the Byzantine Empire Chaldia was fully integrated into the Early Byzantine Empire after the successful expeditions of Justinian I (527-565) against the Tzannoi, the indigenous inhabitants of Tzanicha (Canca), in the heart of the inland which was also known as "Mesochaldia" (Inner Chaldia). Ever since the coastline and Pyxites river valley linked better to Constantinople and to Euphrates valley, through upland Chaldia and the Armenian territories on the western boundaries of Mesochaldia, on the first and second centuries respectively, the coast and the Greek colonies of Cerasous and Trebizond separated from the inland, which kept the name "Chaldia" during the entire Byzantine Period. Chaldia proved to be a difficult territory for the Romans and the Byzantines: impassable roads, due either to extended forested areas or steep, precipitous ground, and unfordable rivers without valleys. In historical geography the inland became progressively a defensive zone. 3. Economy The bare landscape of inland Chaldia, characterized by sparse vegetation and habitation, is formed by the alternation of granite and volcanic subsoil. The lead-rich deposits, some silver-poor deposits and the gold nuggets of the Chalybia subsoil, especially in west Mesochaldia, were systematically exploited at certain periods. The most important city of the region, Argyroupolis, was named after the silver (argyros) mines. The region, from rivers Kanis and Philabonites to the slopes of the mount of Zygana, is an extended forest area, comprising the historical site of Tzanicha. The roads in Tzanicha became once again passable on foot and by horse 2 when, on the 6th century, the trees that covered them were finally cut. The zone behind the costland, stretching north from the settlement of Zygana, consists of valleys and grasslands. It was a fertile and densely populated region. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 18/3/2017 Σελίδα 1/5

The entire Chaldia were always prosperous due to the goods they produced, to the taxation of transit trade, as well as to coastal trade. The period between the 10th and 13th centuries was the most economically prosperous. Part of the incoming wealth of Trebizond was absorbed by the militarized part of the Chaldia upland during the Middle Byzantine Period. In the Late Byzantine Period, tihs was the region where the land owned by members of the local aristocracy was mostly to be found. 4. Society and History Byzantine sources provide evidence that the people of Chaldia and Tzanicha were descended from the indigenous inhabitants of the historical area of Chaldia. Strabo identifies them with the ancient people of Chalybia and describes them as rough and warlike 3. The survival of the ancient name of the inhabitants and their placenames, as well as of their distinctive cultural identity, which often resulted in the confrontation of Chaldia with the central authority and the more byzantino, led to the contemporary belief that the society of ancient Chaldia most possibly survived throughout Byzantine times. 4 Former "archons of Chaldia" (high-ranking officials) became administrative officials in the middle Byzantine period at the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid, possibly as intermediaries in the attempt to exercise control in a sensitive area. As far as the military administration was concerned, the greater region of Pontos and Armenia had a common administration under the same military official, until the area developed into an autonomous theme around 824. The theme of Chaldia participated in unsuccessful rebellions at several occasions during the 10th century, usually under the guidance of prominent locals. 5 During the periods 1091/5-1098 and 1126-1140, it was granted autonomy by the central administration, and in particular by the doukes of Chaldia Theodore Gabras and Constantine Gabras respectively, both of Chaldian descent. Between 1204 and 1461 Chaldia came under the domination of the Empire of Trebizond; by that time, the inland was completely disconnected from the coast. It was organized as a theme on the basis of the military administration of the Empire of Trebizond. It might be the case that the part, which in ancient times was the centre of the historical area, kept its original name. Between the Trapezuntine theme of Chaldia in Mesochaldia and the outskirts of the city of Trebizond on the coastline, in the territories of the zone close to the cost of Chaldia, three banda (subdivisions of themes) were situated. 6 The inland settlements were modest, but their castles were magnificent. Chaldia was in charge of the defense of the coastline and the trade routes during Byzantine times: against the Arabs (7th - 9th centuries), against the Seljuks of Ikonio (Konya) in the 13th century and the Turkmen Emirs henceforth. The castle of Golacha in inland Chaldia was the last Christian territory in Asia Minor, which came under Ottoman domination in 1479, when the castles of Mesochaldia, property of the local noble families Kavazitai and Tzanichitai, were occupied. 5. General Evaluation The historical area of Chaldia survived throughout the Byzantine times as part of the Early Byzantine provinces organized in Pontos, of the themes of Armeniakon and Chaldia (Middle Byzantine period), of the autonomous principality of the same name (1091/5-1098, 1126-1140) and of the Empire of Trebizond (1204-1461). Chaldia played an vital strategic role in the defense of the coastline of the Black Sea. Particular traits, surviving ancient traditions, were to be found in inland Chaldia until 1479, when the Ottomans occupied its fortified sites. 1. See the chronological timetable: "Chaldia: The byzantine administration". Regarding ecclesiastical administration, the coastal cities, Cerasous and Trebizond, had been late antique bishoprics, while Chaldia was organized as a country bishopric Only in the 10th century there were bishoprics in this area, and they were th jurisdiction of the metropolis of Pontos Polemoniakos, Neokaisareia being its episcopal see. In the 10th century Trebizond was elevated to the rank of metropolis of Lazike with jurisdiction over bishoprics on Armenian soils. 2. Haury, J. Wirth, G. (ed.), Procopii Caesariensis opera omnia, IV De Aedificiis libri IV (Leipzig 1964), 3, 6, 6-11. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 18/3/2017 Σελίδα 2/5

3. Jones, H.L. (ed.), Strabo, Geography (Loeb, New York 1917-1932), 548.18, 549.19. 4. See Bryer, A.A.M. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos I, II (DORLC, Washington D.C. 1985), pp. 299-301. Toynbee, A., Constantine Porphyrogenitus and his world (London 1973), pp. 225, 396 and note p. 396. 5. See the chronological table: "Eminent Chaldians". 6. See the auxiliary catalogue: "Chaldia: The Byzantine administration" for more analytical information. Βιβλιογραφία : Λουγγής, Τ., Κουντούρα-Γαλάκη, Ε., Λαμπάκης, Σ., Βλυσίδου, Β., Σαββίδης, Α. (επιμ.), Η Mικρά Aσία των Θεμάτων: έρευνες πάνω στη γεωγραφική φυσιογνωμία και προσωπογραφία των βυζαντινών θεμάτων της Mικράς Aσίας (7ος-11ος αι.), Αθήνα 1998, Ερευνητική Βιβλιοθήκη 1, ΙΒΕ/ΕΙΕ Bryer A.A.M., "A Byzantine Family: the Gabrades, c. 979-1653", University of Birmingham Historical Journal, XII, 1970, 164-187 Bryer A.A.M., Fassoulakis S., Nicol D.M., "A Byzantine Family: the Gabrades, An Additional Note", Byzantinoslavica, 36, 1975, 38-45 Procopii Caesariensis, Οpera Omnia, IV De Aedificiis libri IV, Haury, J. Wirth, G. (επιμ.), Leipzig 1964 Strabo, Geography, Jones, H.L., Loeb, New York 1917-1932 Constantino Porphyrogenito, De Thematibus, Pertusi, A., Studi e Testi 160, Città del Vaticano 1952 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 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 2 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Heyd W., Histoire du Commerce du Levant au moyen âge, I-II, Leipzig 1885-1886, ανατ. Amsterdam 1959-1967 Lilie R.J., Die byzantinische Reaktion auf die Ausbreitung der Araber, München 1976, Mischellanea Byzantina Monacensia 22 Toynbee A., Constantine Porphyrogenitus and his World, OUP, London New York Toronto 1973 Bryer A.A.M., "Byzantium and the Pontos during the "Time of Troubles"", XVIIIth International Congress of Byzantine Studies. Major Papers, Moscow 1991, 246-265 Zuckerman C., "The Early-Byzantine Strongholds in Eastern Pontus", Travaux et Mémoires, 11, 1991, 527-553 Δημιουργήθηκε στις 18/3/2017 Σελίδα 3/5

Λαμψίδης Ο., "Ανατολικός Πόντος - στρατηγικός χώρος", Λαμπάκης Σ., H Bυζαντινή Mικρά Aσία (6ος- 12ος αι.), EIE/IBE, Aθήνα 1998, Διεθνή Συμπόσια 6, 173-177 Οικονομίδης N., "Πόλεις-Commercia στη Mικρά Aσία του 10ου αι.", Λαμπάκης Σ., H Bυζαντινή Mικρά Aσία (6ος-12ος αι.), EIE/IBE, Aθήνα 1998, Διεθνή Συμπόσια 6, 67-72 Δικτυογραφία : Empire of Trebizond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/emperor_of_trebizond The Creation of Themes http://www.thalamus-books.com/assets/pdf/kean_byzantium_02.pdf Понтийские Греки, ИСТОРИЯ http://pontos.city.tomsk.net/historia.htm Γλωσσάριo : doukas (lat. dux) Antiquity: Roman military commander who, in some provinces, combined military and civil functions. Buzantium: a higher military officer. From the second half of the 10th c. the title indicates the military comander of a larger district. After the 12th c., doukes were called the governors of small themes. Πηγές Haury, J. Wirth, G. (ed.), Procopii Caesariensis Opera Omnia, IV: De Aedificiis libri IV (Leipzig 1964), 3, 6, 6 11. Jones, H.L. (ed.), Strabo, Geography (Loeb, New York 1917 1932), 548.18, 549.19. Pertusi, A. (ed.), Constantino Porphyrogenito (Studi e Testi 160, Città del Vaticano 1952), 73.8 10. Παραθέματα The Persian origin of the name Chaldia VIII. Η Ὄγδοον θέμα τὸ ὀνομαζόμενον Χαλδία Τὸ δὲ καλούμενον θέμα Χαλδία καὶ ἡ μητρόπολις λεγομένη Τραπεζοῦς Ἑλλήνων εἰσὶν ἀποικίαι, καθὼς καὶ Ξενοφῶν ἐν τῇ Ἀναβάσει Κύρου λέγει τὰ δὲ ἄνω καὶ μεσόγαια τῆς μικρᾶς Ἀρμενίας εἰσὶ προοίμια. Τοῦτο δὲ πιστοῦται ἐξ αὐτῶν τῶν ὀνομάτων ἥ τε γὰρ Κελτζηνὴ καλουμένη καὶ ὁ Συσπειρίτης καὶ τὸ Γοιζάνον. Μαρτυρεῖ δὲ καὶ περὶ τούτων ἡ θεία Γραφὴ ἐν τῇ τετάρτῃ τῶν Βασιλειῶν τοὺς γὰρ κατοικοῦντας τὴν Σαμάρειαν αἰχμαλώτους λαβόντες Ἀσσύριοι κατῴκισαν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ Γοιζάνῳ. Ἔλαβε δὲ τὴν προσωνυμίαν τοῦ καλεῖσθαι Χαλδία ἐκ τῆς τῶν Περσῶν προσηγορίας καὶ τῆς αὐτῶν ἀρχαιογόνου πατρίδος Χαλδίας, ὅθεν καὶ Χαλδαῖοι προσονομάζονται. Pertusi, A. (ed.), Constantino Porphyrogenito, De Thematibus (Studi e Testi 160, Città del Vaticano 1952), 73, 8 10 Χρονολόγιο Chaldia: The Byzantine administration 293-ca. 305: Province of Cappadocia and Pontos, Caesarea is the metropolis ca. 305: Province of Pontos Polemoniakos, Neocaesarea is the metropolis Δημιουργήθηκε στις 18/3/2017 Σελίδα 4/5

535-536: Province of Helenopontos, Amaseia is the metropolis 536-548 / or 591: Province of Armenia I of Justinian I, Ioustinianoupolis is the metropolis 591-667: Province of Armenia III of Maurice, Ioustinianoupolis or Trebizond is the metropolis 667-824: Theme of Armeniakon 824-1091/5, 1098-1126, 1140-1204: Theme of Chaldia, with Trebizond as its centre 1091/5-1098, 1126-1140: Autonomous Chaldia, with Trebizond as its centre 1204-1461: Empire of Trebizond, with Trebizond as the capital 1204-1461: Theme of Chaldia [Mesochaldia and Tzanicha] and bandon of Trikomia, bandon of Matzouka and bandon of Gemora [inland Chaldia] 1461-1479: Autonomous Mesochaldia, Golacha was the most important castle Βοηθ. Κατάλογοι NOTABLE CHALDEAN FAMILIES MOUROUZES FAMILY: Patriarch John (1064 1075) KAVAZITAI FAMILY TZANICHITAI FAMILY CHALDOS FAMILY: John Chaldos, 867/8 general of Chaldia, Hadrian Chaldos GABRAS FAMILY (979 1040): Constantine I Gabras, N. Gabras, Michael I Gabras GABRAS FAMILY (1067 1140): Theodore Gabras (Saint), Gregory I Gabras, Constantine II Gabras GABRAS FAMILY in the Seljuk and in the Byzantine Court (1146 1256): N. Gabras, Michael II Gabras, Constantine III Gabras, Chasan Gabras, N. Gabras, Ikitiyar al din Gabras, Ioannikios Gabras, N. Gabras, Gregory Gabras, Stephan Gabras, Giovanni de Gabra, John Gabras, Micael bar Gabra GABRAS FAMILY in Trebizond (1204 1345): N. Gabras, Andronicos Gabras, George III Gabras, Cosma of the Gabras, Theodoros Gabras GABRAS FAMILY in Constantinople (1299 1356): N. Gabras, Michael Gabras, Christopher Gabras, N. Gabras, Manuel Doukas Komnenos Gabras, N. Gabras Komnenos, Demetrius Gabras, Michael Gabras, Philotheus Gabras, Basil Gabras, George II Gabras, John II Gabras, Michael IV Gabras, N. Gabras, John III Gabras, N. Gabras Δημιουργήθηκε στις 18/3/2017 Σελίδα 5/5