Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road , became a melting pot of religions , languages and culture for centuries and a trade gateway to Persia in the southeast and the Caucasus to the northeast.
Both republics had merchant colonies within the city — Leonkastron and the former 'Venetian castle — that played a role to Trebizond similar to the one Galata played to Constantinople modern Istanbul.
During the early modern period, Trabzon, because of the importance of its port, again became a focal point of trade to Persia and the Caucasus. The Turkish name of the city is Trabzon. It is historically known in English as Trebizond.
In Latin , Trabzon was called Trapezus , which is a latinization of its ancient Greek name. During Ottoman times, Tara Bozan was also used. Before the city was founded as a Greek colony the area was dominated by Colchian Caucasian and Chaldian Anatolian tribes.
It is possible that the settlement origins of Trabzon go back to these tribes. The Hayasa , who had been in conflict with the Central-Anatolian Hittites in the 14th century BCE, are believed to have lived in the area south of Trabzon.
