- Pontus was a Roman Province which is now located in the Black Sea Region of northern Turkey.
1. History
- Pre-Roman history:
- Located in Turkey, (old name Anatolia) on the Black Sea (old name Euxine Sea).
- In 753 CE The Greek City of Trapezus (Trabzon) was founded. It was situated at the eastern end of the Silk Road from China.
- Goods came via the road from the Zigana Pass on the Frontier with Armenia, also the road northeast from the Caucasus, and the road southeast from the Upper Euphrates valley.
- It became the Pontic Kingdom under the Parthian Empire, with a naval base at Trabzon.
- 88-63 BCE Pontus was the location for the Mithridatic Wars (88-63 BCE) between Rome and Mithridates VI of Pontus.
- Acquisition by Rome:
- 63 BCE Pontus was annexed by Pompey when he finally defeated Mithridates VI of Pontus and united Pontus with Bithynia.
- Timeline of this Province:
- After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
- Pontus was divided into 3 Provinces: Diospontus (or Helenopontus), Pontus Polemoniacus and Cappadocian Pontus (Trapezus).
- After Death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
- Pontus became part of the Byzantine Empire.
- It held the strategic coastal road from Constantinople for armies to gain access to Trabzon (Trapezus), Armenia and the Persian Empire.
- Famous Persons from this Province:
- Strabo, Greek Historian and Geographer.
- Chief archeological Finds:
2. Geography
- Capital City of Pontus:
- Trabzon (Trapezus)
- Chief Cities of Pontus:
- Polemonion (Fatsa)
- Location Today:
- Turkey, Black Sea Region
- Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
- Climate and Temperature Today:
- Oceanic Climate:
- Summers, warm and humid. Winters, cool and damp.
- High, evenly distributed Rainfall all year round (Receives the highest rainfall in all of Turkey).
- Mild, damp climate suitable for Agriculture, and the Euxine-Colchic Temperate Rain Forests. Rain heaviest in Autumn and Spring. Snow in the Mountains.
- Main Rivers:
- River Halys, river Lycus, river Iris.
- Mountain Ranges:
- Pontic Mountains
- These run East-West parallel to Black Sea, with many streams cascading towards the Black Sea.
- Along with the Kackar Mountains in the East, together they form a wall which isolates the Black Sea Coast from the Anatolian Interior.
- Zigana Pass
- The Pass was controlled historically by Trabzon, the port city located 75 miles (120km) to the north on the Black Sea.
- The Road through the Pass connected with the interior of Asia Minor, Armenia and the Euphrates.
- Islands: None
3. Political Organisation
- Province Type:
- Senatorial Propraetorial Province.
- In 63 BCE, Pontus was united with Bithynia to become ‘Bithynia et Pontus’.
- Governor:
- Propraetor
- Pliny the Younger (110-113 CE).
- Propraetor
- Tribes and Population:
- Greeks.
- Language:
- Greek.
4. Military Organisation
- Legions: None.
- Navy:
- Classis Pontica (Pontic navy)
- Defensive Works:
- Main Threats:
- Piracy.
5. Economy
- Chief Exports:
- Sandarake
- Red Arsenic. A very important item of trade.
- Sandarake
- Agriculture and Fishing:
- Olives, Grain.
- Timber, from the Pontic Rainforests.
- Manufacturing:
- Glass, pottery, jewellery, metalwork
- Mines:
- Sandarake (Red Arsenic)
- From the Mines of Pompeiopolis on the Amnias River (Realgar was Red Arsenic or Arsenic Sulphide).
- Used as a corrosive to remove animal hair from pelts. Also as a Poison, a medicine and as a pigment in red paint.
- Mints:
6. Transport
- Roads:
- Black Sea Coastal Road to Byzantium (Constantinople).
- Silk Road to Armenia over the Zigana Pass.
- Waterways:
- Ports:
- Trabzon (Trapezus)
- Ancient Trade Routes:
- Western end of the Silk Road over the Zigana Pass to the Euphrates and AArmenia.
- Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:
7. Relationship with Rome
- Important Naval Base at Trabzon which controlled the Black Sea in conjunction with the Roman Fleet in the Crimea.
8. History of Christianity in this Province
9. Roman Authors describing this Province
Pontus (capital Trabzon)