Trapezus

Trapezus, known in Greek as Trapezous, is the ancient name for the port city on the southern coast of the Black Sea in the region of Pontus, in present-day Trabzon, Turkey. The name Trapezus is Latinized from Greek Trapezous; in later periods it was known as Trebizond in Latin and English.

Founding: According to tradition, Milesian colonists founded the city in the 8th century BCE; it developed into a prosperous Greek polis with a secure harbor that linked the Pontus interior to maritime trade routes.

History: It was part of or influenced by various powers across centuries: Persian rule in the early classical era, then Hellenistic kingdoms after Alexander the Great, followed by incorporation into the Roman and later Byzantine empires. It remained a significant commercial and strategic center on the Black Sea.

Medieval era: After the Fourth Crusade (1204), Trapezus became the capital of the Empire of Trebizond, a Byzantine successor state ruled by the Komnenos dynasty, which lasted until its conquest by the Ottoman Empire in 1461.

Modern era: The city developed under Ottoman rule, retaining its position as a major port in the Black Sea; today it is the city of Trabzon in Turkey.

Etymology and legacy: The name Trapezus is derived from Greek and may reflect local geographic features, such as a flat-topped hill or a table-like shape. The site remains significant in classical and medieval history as a major Pontic port and as the cradle of the Empire of Trebizond.