Malagina (Greek: Μαλάγινα), in later times Melangeia (Μελάγγεια), was a Byzantine district in the valley of the Sangarius river in northern Bithynia, at least overlapping the modern territory of Pamukova.[1]
Malagina served as a major encampment and fortified staging area (aplekton) for the Byzantine army.[2] It was the aplekton closest to the imperial capital of Constantinople, and, as such, of major importance during imperial expeditions to the East: it was here that the armies of the powerful themes of Anatolikon, Opsikion and Thrakesion joined the emperor.[3][4] The region was also the site of the major imperial horse ranches (metata) in Asia Minor. It is first mentioned in historical sources in 798, when Empress Irene assembled an army there.[5] Other sources state that the first mention of Malagina is in a text attributed to St. Methodius, dating from the late seventh century.[6] The site was attacked by the Arabs in 798, 860 and in ca. 875.[4]
In 1145, Emperor Manuel I Komnenos restored the fortifications of the district's main fortress at Metabole after a Turkish raid, and used it as a base for his campaigns against the SeljukSultanate of Iconium.[1]Spolia from nearby Hellenistic walls served to build the facade of this castle that could oversee the whole valley.[1] Under the Angeloi, it became a separate province, headed by a governor titled dux and stratopedarches. At the same time, it is attested as being an archbishopric, before being raised to a metropolis under the Laskarids.[4]
The city is last mentioned as Byzantine in 1206, when it was contested between the Nicaea and Trebizond. The city, however, is not mentioned again in Byzantine sources, and presumably fell during the obscure wars of 1225-1231 between Nicaea and the Jandaridemirs of Kastamonu.[7]
Locationedit
Although there were difficulties in precising the location of Malagina, it was facilitated by the discovery of the ruins of Metabole in 1982, by the British archeologist Clive Foss. They stood on a high and steep hill, at an elevation of 754m, just north of the village of Paşalar [tr], in the district of Pamukova.[8]
The place has been also identified with the town of Mela by W.M. Ramsay.[9]
Referencesedit
^ abcKontogiannis, Nikos D. (June 2022). Byzantine Fortifications Protecting the Roman Empire in the East. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN9781526710277. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
^Matheou, Nicholas; Kampianaki, Theofili; Bondioli, Lorenzo (2016). From Constantinople to the Frontier: The City and the Cities. Leiden: Brill. pp. 260–277.
^William Mitchell Ramsay, The Historical Geography of Asia Minor 1890 (reproduction published by Cambridge University Press in 2010, ISBN978-1-10801453-3), p.205
Sourcesedit
Foss, Clive (1990), "Byzantine Malagina and the Lower Sangarius", Anatolian Studies, 40, British Institute at Ankara: 161–183, doi:10.2307/3642800, JSTOR 3642800, S2CID 191380626
Haldon, John (1999). Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World, 565–1204. London: UCL Press. ISBN1-85728-495-X.
malagina, greek, Μαλάγινα, later, times, melangeia, Μελάγγεια, byzantine, district, valley, sangarius, river, northern, bithynia, least, overlapping, modern, territory, pamukova, contents, history, location, references, sourceshistory, edit, served, major, enc. Malagina Greek Malagina in later times Melangeia Melaggeia was a Byzantine district in the valley of the Sangarius river in northern Bithynia at least overlapping the modern territory of Pamukova 1 Contents 1 History 2 Location 3 References 4 SourcesHistory editMalagina served as a major encampment and fortified staging area aplekton for the Byzantine army 2 It was the aplekton closest to the imperial capital of Constantinople and as such of major importance during imperial expeditions to the East it was here that the armies of the powerful themes of Anatolikon Opsikion and Thrakesion joined the emperor 3 4 The region was also the site of the major imperial horse ranches metata in Asia Minor It is first mentioned in historical sources in 798 when Empress Irene assembled an army there 5 Other sources state that the first mention of Malagina is in a text attributed to St Methodius dating from the late seventh century 6 The site was attacked by the Arabs in 798 860 and in ca 875 4 In 1145 Emperor Manuel I Komnenos restored the fortifications of the district s main fortress at Metabole after a Turkish raid and used it as a base for his campaigns against the Seljuk Sultanate of Iconium 1 Spolia from nearby Hellenistic walls served to build the facade of this castle that could oversee the whole valley 1 Under the Angeloi it became a separate province headed by a governor titled dux and stratopedarches At the same time it is attested as being an archbishopric before being raised to a metropolis under the Laskarids 4 The city is last mentioned as Byzantine in 1206 when it was contested between the Nicaea and Trebizond The city however is not mentioned again in Byzantine sources and presumably fell during the obscure wars of 1225 1231 between Nicaea and the Jandarid emirs of Kastamonu 7 Location editAlthough there were difficulties in precising the location of Malagina it was facilitated by the discovery of the ruins of Metabole in 1982 by the British archeologist Clive Foss They stood on a high and steep hill at an elevation of 754 m just north of the village of Pasalar tr in the district of Pamukova 8 The place has been also identified with the town of Mela by W M Ramsay 9 References edit a b c Kontogiannis Nikos D June 2022 Byzantine Fortifications Protecting the Roman Empire in the East Pen amp Sword Books ISBN 9781526710277 Retrieved 26 September 2023 Haldon 1999 pp 56 59 Haldon 1999 pp 141 142 150 151 a b c Kazhdan 1991 p 1274 Matheou Nicholas Kampianaki Theofili Bondioli Lorenzo 2016 From Constantinople to the Frontier The City and the Cities Leiden Brill pp 260 277 Foss Clive December 1990 Byzantine Malagina and the Lower Sangarius Anatolian Studies 40 161 183 doi 10 2307 3642800 ISSN 2048 0849 JSTOR 3642800 S2CID 191380626 Foss 1990 p 174 Foss 1990 p 170 William Mitchell Ramsay The Historical Geography of Asia Minor 1890 reproduction published by Cambridge University Press in 2010 ISBN 978 1 10801453 3 p 205Sources editFoss Clive 1990 Byzantine Malagina and the Lower Sangarius Anatolian Studies 40 British Institute at Ankara 161 183 doi 10 2307 3642800 JSTOR 3642800 S2CID 191380626 Haldon John 1999 Warfare State and Society in the Byzantine World 565 1204 London UCL Press ISBN 1 85728 495 X Kazhdan Alexander ed 1991 The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium Oxford and New York Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 504652 8 40 31 31 N 30 06 05 E 40 5253 N 30 1014 E 40 5253 30 1014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Malagina amp oldid 1182596994, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
