1. Biography
John I Grand Komnenos, also called John Komnenos Axouch,1 was the first-born son of Alexios I Grand Komnenos (1204-1222) founder of the Empire of Trebizond. He was also the father of Ioannikios and Manuel I, the future Emperor Manuel I Grand Komnenos (1238-1263). On 1235 he succeeded his son in law Andronikos I Grand Komnenos (1222-1235)2 and remained in power for three years. There is no information concerning his reign.3 He was killed in 1238 at the tzykanisterion of the city in an equestrian accident, while he was exercising in the tzykanion.
1. The name ‘Axouchos’ is Persian and is related a megas domestikos in Constantinople of Persian decent, who related to the house of the Komnenoi by marriage. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), pp. 24-25.
2. Andronikos I ascended to the throne before the eldest son of Emperor Alexios I, John I, who succeeded him after his death. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), pp. 19, 24-25, 26.
3. Miller attributes several silver coins to the reign of John I Grand Komnenos. See Miller, W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire (London 1926), p. 26. Hendy, on the other hand, believes they belong to John II Grand Komnenos (1280-1285/11287- 1290). See Hendy, M.F., Studies in the Byzantine Monetary Economy, c. 300-1450 (Cambridge Mass.1985), p. 522.