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.

Treaty of 1282

Long name: Byzantine–Trapezuntine treaty of 1282
Signed	1282
Location	Constantinople
Condition	John II of Trebizond to cease using the title Basileus, marriage between John II and Eudokia Palaiologina
Signatories	Michael VIII Palaiologos John II Megas Komnenos
Parties	Byzantine Empire Trapezuntine Empire
Language	Byzantine Greek

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 abandon his imperial title and accept the lesser title of Despot of Trebizond, including discarding the attendant insignia (e.g. exchanging the red buskins traditionally worn by Byzantine emperors for black)
• the marriage of Eudokia Palaiologina to John II of Trebizond;