Byzantine–Trapezuntine treaty of 1282
The Treaty of 1282 was an agreement between Empire of Trebizond and the Empire of Nicaea. It was signed by emperor John II of Trebizond and Michael VIII Palaiologos.
After the sack of Constantinople in 1204 by Latin crusaders, two Byzantine successor states were established: the Empire of Nicaea, and the Despotate of Epirus. A third, the Empire of Trebizond, was created after Alexios Komnenos, commanding the Georgian expedition in Chaldia a few weeks before the sack of Constantinople, pressed his claims as "Roman Emperors" against Byzantine Emperor Alexios V Doukas and established himself in Trebizond.
In 1261 Michael VIII Palaiologos (r. 1259–1282), ruler of Nicaea, recaptured Constantinople. His recapture of the imperial city reestablished the authority of the Byzantine. However, Manuel I of Trebizond (r. 1238–1263) did not concede defeat, but continued to maintain his claim to imperial supremacy until his death. The titular battle continued through the reigns of the next three emperors of Trebizond, until John II of Trebizond (r. 1280–85, 1285–97) finally agreed in 1282 a treaty with Michael VIII in Constantinople, on following terms:[1]
- John II of Trebizond had to exchange his red shoes for black and to accept the lesser title of Despot of Trebizond;
- the marriage of Eudokia Palaiologina to John II of Trebizond;