1. Historical framework
The establishment of the empire of Trebizond by David and Alexios I Grand Komnenos triggered a reaction from the Seljuks of Ikonion, who realised that a new military and political power was seriously threatening the provinces of their territory in the Pontos. In order to do away with the risk of the newly established state, the Turks tried to put it under their control after successive military operations, an aim partially achieved in 1214-1223 and 1231-1243.
The 1222-1223 campaign,1 which was targeted at the capital of the empire, Trebizond, was part of these operations. The son-in-law and successor of Alexios I, Andronikos I Gidos or Gidon, was at the time on the throne of Trebizond.
2. Presentation and analysis of the event
In the second year of the reign of Andronikos I Gidon the Seljuk leader Melik, who, according to certain evidence, is identified with the son of the sultan of Ikonion, 'Alā al-Dīn Kayqubād bin Kaykā'ūs (1220-1237), signed a treaty with the emperor of Trebizond. However, in the autumn of 1222 a Trebizond ship carrying the taxes paid by Cherson and the rest of the theme was stranded in Sinope because of a storm. Reis, the city’s governor and subordinate to the sultan of Ikonion, occupied the ship, arrested the crew and the passengers and sent a fleet against Cherson. By way of retaliation, Andronikos ordered his fleet to attack Sinope, where the Seljuk forces were bitterly defeated. Reis capitulated and the Trebizond ships returned to their base along with the loot of the battle and the captured ship.
After that defeat the sultan of Ikonion ordered his son, Melik, to capture Trebizond. Melik raised an army in Melitene and Erzurum and marched to Erzincan (Keltzine). Andronikos in turn amassed troops from Soteroupolis (Bourzo) and Lazica as far as Oinaion (Unye). In the winter of 1222-1223 the sultan crossed the Pontic Gates (now Kolambat Boğazi Pass) and plundered the region of Katoukion (between Paipert [Bayburt] and Zailoussa), where he camped. When the inhabitants of Paipert informed him that the safest way in order to capture Trebizond was through the so-called “Straight” (that is, the pass of Kara Kapan above Chortokopion), he was prepared to attack.
Andronikos sent the local military commander, Theodore, to scout the area, while he ordered Georgios Akrivitziotis and his soldiers to take cover in the inaccessible area of St. Merkourios. Andronikos with 500 riders went to the fortress of Lavra (Vazelon). After securing the fortress, the emperor advanced towards Dikaisimon (now Cevizlik). At the same time, 2,000 Seljuk horsemen were arriving at Douvera (Livera). Worried about this development, Theodore asked for imperial reinforcements. In the ensuing battle, the Seljuk riders, although superior in numbers, were subdued: lots of them were drowned in the river, while others were put to rout. Melik with the main part of the troops tried to fight against the small army of Andronikos, but the latter managed to escape to Trebizond.
The Seljuk leader laid a tight siege to the city, while Andronikos’ forces, based at the church of Theotokos Chrysokephalos, carried out several successful sorties against the besiegers. When he realised that the most vulnerable side of Trebizond was the coast, which was still without strong fortifications, Melik decided to launch his major attacks from the area between St. Constantine and the river of St. Barbara to the west. The sultan ordered a new attack on the walls, which was repelled, while Andronikos with his cavalry was raiding on them. In the following conflict, near the Church of St. Prokopios, both sides suffered casualties. Among the notable Seljuks that died in the battle were a cousin of the sultan and Reis, the commander of Sinope, while several soldiers from the regions of Keltzine and Sebasteia were also killed.2
In retaliation for his defeat, Melik ordered the partial destruction of the church of St. Eugenios, which was used for accommodation. The following day the Seljuks pounced on Trebizond from the north. Although the attack was unsuccessful, the strong pressure on the city started to work. In order to encourage the beleaguered, Andronikos took the icon of the Virgin Hodegetria and St. Eugenios’ skull all over the city. At the same time, according to Joseph Lazaropoulos (the only source providing a detailed description of the siege), the emperor asked that Melik representatives should be sent to the city to discuss a possible surrender. The demands of the Seljuk leader were considered unacceptable and, as a result, the discussions were fruitless. However, his delegates had the opportunity to realise that the city had plenty of supplies and drinking water.3
While the Seljuk delegates were on their way back, Melik understood that his position was becoming unsafe, as the inhabitants of the regions of Chaldia and Matzouka, ignoring the danger, launched night raids on the Seljuk camp and took away horses and captives. Therefore, he decided to mount a night attack against the city walls. The attack had catastrophic effects on the Seljuks, because it coincided with a rapid deterioration in weather conditions (stormy winds and hail), which was attributed by the citizens of Trebizond to a miraculous intervention of St. Eugenios.4 Τhe Seljuk army was disbanded and a large number of soldiers were killed. Melik with his bodyguards escaped to Kouratoreion, where the following morning he was captured by lightly-armed inhabitants of Matzouka and was taken to Trebizond.
3. Consequences
By Andronikos’ decision lots of captive soldiers were freed, while Melik was forced to sign a new peace treaty with Trebizond before he was allowed to return to Ikonion. Not only did the sultan abide by the agreement, he also sent to Andronikos Arabic horses and various other gifts. Αs a result, Trebizond was relieved of the subordination to the sultanate of Ikonion, which had been imposed in November 1214, after Sinope was captured by the Seljuks, and extended its territory from Sinope to the border with Lazica and as far as Koloneia (now Sebinkarahisar) to the south.
On the site where Melik was arrested a church of St. Eugenios was built in commemoration of the event. The grateful emperor Andronikos used the loot in order to adorn the icon of Theotokos Chrysokephalos with precious stones and pearls. He also offered to the church of St. Eugenios a gild-edged gospel with an account of the events at the end of the book, and expensive gifts to the saint’s monastery. Finally, the prevailing view that the city was saved thanks to the miraculous intervention of St. Eugenios contributed greatly to the spread of the saint’s cult in Trebizond.