Principality of Theodoro

  • Theodoro
  • Genoese colonies
  • Khanate of Crimea

The Principality of Theodoro (Greek Θεοδόρο ) or Gothia (Greek Γοτθία ) was a small, Christian feudal state in the southwestern part of Crimea, Balaklava between today and Alushta, which existed from the 13th century to the 15th century. The capital Doros ( Mangup ) was called at the time of existence of the Principality of Theodoro also. The principality was a successor state of the Byzantine Empire. Until its conquest by the Ottomans in 1475, it was the last remaining territory of the Byzantine Empire.

Population

The population of the principality consisted of the various ethnic groups that had settled during antiquity and the Middle Ages in the Crimea. From this mixture of peoples from the Greeks, Crimean Goths, Alans and Karaites, a new ethnic group that spoke Greek and majority belonged to the Orthodox Church was formed.

History

The Principality had in the 13th century from that part of the former Byzantine theme Khersonos (also subject ta climates ) formed in the Crimea, which had not become a colony of Genoa. It was closely allied with the Empire of Trebizond. The Armenian- Byzantine dynasty of Gabras (also Turkish Chowra ), was related by marriage with the Komnenos and the Palaiologos. They carried the title of " Prince of Theodoro and Gothia ". The relationships the Principality of the Golden Horde were mostly peaceful. With the Genoese, however, it often came to the war, especially after the construction of theodorischen commercial port Awlita. The harbor of the principality ( on the today's city of Sevastopol ) was one of the largest trading centers on the Silk Road and presented a competition for the Genoese port of Caffa and the entire economy of the Genoese colonies in the Crimea dar.

After the conquest of Constantinople Opel in 1453 by the Ottomans, taking the Despotate of Morea in 1460 and the Empire of Trebizond in 1461 Theodoro was the last state in the Byzantine world, which had retained its political independence.

After the Moldavian Prince Stephen had defeated the Great Sultan Mehmed II in 1475 in Vaslui Fatih, he married Maria Gabras, the daughter of the Prince of Theodoro. This connection gave him the opportunity to lay claim to the throne in Constantinople Opel (assuming he would win back the city from the Turks ). Stephan sought the creation of a coalition between the Principality of Moldavia, Theodoro and Caffa against the Ottoman Empire. Mary's uncle Isaac Gabras was a pro- Ottoman ruler. Stephen the Great Alexander won Gabras - the brother of Mary, who lived in exile in Moldavia - for his plans, gave him 300 men and a ship and sent him to Theodoro. Alexander was successful and broke Isaac on the throne from.

Also Muscovy tried to consolidate its relations with the Principality of Theodoro by a marriage with a princess of Gothia. 1475, negotiations took place between the Prince Sovereign of All Russia Ivan III. and the Prince Isaac of Theodoro place since Ivan was interested in his son's marriage with the daughter of Isaac. The Turkish invasion prevented this connection.

In May 1475 the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire Gedik Ahmed Pasha conquered the city of Caffa. End of the year also fell Mangup after a five-month siege. Alexander was enslaved and died in Constantinople Opel in prison, although Stephan attempts undertook to free him. The main part of the Crimea was the Crimean Khanate, an Ottoman vassal state slammed. The territory of the former Principality of Theodoro and southern part of the Crimean peninsula managed the Porte directly.

Aftermath

In the late 14th century emigrated a branch of Gabras family to Moscow, where he founded the Simonov Monastery. In the family Chowrin, as it was called there, the Office of the Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Moscow was hereditary. In the 16th century, they changed their name to Golovin (see Fyodor Alexeyevich Golovin ).

Prince of Theodoro

  • Demetrios (after 1362 before 1368 )
  • ?
  • Basil
  • Stephen, son of Basil, (? -1402 )
  • Alexius I, son of Stephen, (1402-1434)
  • Alexios II, son of Alexios I, (1434-1444)
  • John ( Olubey ), son of Alexios I, ( 1444-1460 )
  • ?
  • Isaac, son of Alexios I, (1471-1474)
  • Alexander, son of Alexios II (June- December 1475 )
Classical antiquity Theme (Byzantine district) Fall of Constantinople Despotate of the Morea Sublime Porte
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