Tzanichites

The Tzanichites (Greek: Τζανιχίτες; singular Τζανιχίτης) were an aristocratic family from Tzanicha (Greek: Τζάνιχα; Turkish: Canca) of the central Chaldia region of Pontus, were a noble family of Laz origin. They played important roles for the Empire of the Grand Comnenes in particular on the outskirts and borders of the Empire. According to the historian Antony Bryer, after 1355 the Tzanichites took the positions that the Kabazites family had occupied in the Empire; that of doukes (δούκες) of Chaldia. The most famous of the Tzanichites were: Theodore, John, Sevastos, Stephen, Michael and two Constantines.

Theodore Tzanchites is mentioned in a text of 1306, during the reign of Alexios II. Michael Panaretos attributes the title of epikernes to John Tzanichites in 1330-55. John rebelled in 1352 and seized the castle of Tzanicha but was defeated by Alexios III.

Sevastos Tzanichites, who was born in 1295, held the office of major in the military camp and contributed in an attempt to overthrow Irene Palaiologina (1341), the end result being the overthrow of the noble personnel from the fortified monastery of St Eugenius. He was later deported to Limnia and executed.

Stephen Tzanichites is mentioned as the megas kontostaulos in the period 1344-1350. Michael Tzanichites took part in a naval attack on the Trapezuntine naval fleet outside of Kafa (1349) and was killed in the battle along with John Kabazites. Of the two Constantines, the first is mentioned in the codes of Vazelon Monastery as megas kontostaulos and leader of the bandon of Palaiomatzouka during 1365-1386. According to the Vazelon codices, the secondnd Constantine was head of the same bandon during the year 1415.

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