Brief History

The Black Sea Region has long been a unique and relatively isolated part of Anatolia, with its mountainous terrain shaping its history and cultures. Early Anatolian civilizations, such as the Hittites, had some influence on the region, but it was largely defined by its coastal settlements, founded by Greek colonists from the 7th century BCE onward. Cities such as Sinope and Amisos became important trading ports, connecting the region to the greater Greek and Roman worlds. The Kingdom of Pontus, a Hellenistic state, controlled much of the region before falling to Roman conquest.

Under Roman and later Byzantine rule, the Black Sea Region’s coastal cities continued to serve as strategic trading and military points. However, the mountainous interior remained relatively autonomous and was home to various Anatolian tribes. The arrival of the Seljuks and later the Ottomans brought new influences to the region, but it remained somewhat isolated compared to other parts of Anatolia.