The monograph of the prominent Russian Byzantinist and medievalist, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences S.P. Karpov, for the first time in world historiography, comprehensively examines all aspects of the political, economic and cultural history of the Trebizond Empire (1204–1461). The Empire of Trebizond was the cradle of Pontic Hellenism, the last Byzantine stronghold, for many years it was the link between the West and the East, the crossroads of world civilizations. The very survival of this state in the era of the Crusades, the Tatar-Mongol conquests, the rise of the powerful powers of the East (Seljukids of Rum, Ilkhans, Emir Timur, Ak-Kuyunlu, the Ottoman Sultanate, etc.) needs an explanation, which is offered by the author of the book. A prominent and ancient metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Empire of Trebizond left a noticeable mark on the history of the Orthodox East, maintaining diverse ties with Palaiologan Byzantium, the principalities of Ancient Rus', Crimea and Transcaucasia. From the end of the 13th century. Genoese and Venetian trading posts emerged on its territory, which played an important role in the economy of the Middle Ages. To study the topic, the author drew on a large range of archival, handwritten and published sources in many European and Eastern languages. Table of contents: Introduction Aims and objectives of the book Tradition of study (historiography) Review of sources Habitat. Geographical conditions of PontusPontus before the formation of the Empire of TrebizondPontus in antiquityByzantine PontusEstablishment of the Empire of Trebizond (1204–1215)Socio-economic development of the Pontic region in the 13th–15th centuriesPopulation of the empireEconomyTrebizond army and navyAdministrative structure, law and power in the Empire of TrebizondInternal political contradictions and social struggle in the Empire of Trebizond Hunda Empire and ByzantiumChurch of the Trebizond EmpireTrebizond Empire and the Venetian Republic at the end of the 13th - 15th centuries.Trebizond Empire and GenoaTrebizond Empire and Papal RomeConnections of the Trebizond Empire with Western European statesTrebizond Empire and the EastTrebizond Empire and the CaucasusConnections of the Trebizond Empire with the Crimea and Slavic states Bal kanTrebizond Empire and Ancient RussiaThe Fall of the Trebizond EmpireCulture of the Trebizond EmpireTrebizond legend in the perception of contemporaries and descendantsConclusionChronological table of the history of the Trebizond EmpireStratigi and Dukes of ChaldiaEmperors Great KomnenosOrthodox bishops and metropolitans of TrebizondCatholic bishops of TrebizondVenetian bailoes in TrebizondGenoese consuls in TrebizondBibliographyName and geographical indexGenealogical table of dynasty Great Komnenos