Manuel II of Trebizond

Who was Manuel II of Trebizond?

Manuel II Megas Komnenos was Emperor of Trebizond for eight months in 1332. He was possibly the illegitimate son of Emperor Andronikos III of Trebizond, whom he succeeded at the age of eight in January 1333.

The short reign of Manuel II was marked by the invasion of Bayram Beg, the Emir of Chalybia, who decided to take advantage of the ruler's minority and invade Trebizond. The Turkmen penetrated deep into Trebizond's territory to Asomatos, where the Trapezuntine army defeated them on 30 August 1332, inflicting many casualties and capturing many of their horses. In spite of this success, the position of the young emperor and his supporters was far from secure.

According to William Miller, the crimes of his father had shocked the people to such a point that they had divided into rival factions, focused on the capital and the countryside. The pro-Byzantine party in the capital invited Manuel's uncle Basil to return to Trebizond from Constantinople and to take over the government. Manuel was deposed after a reign of eight months, and his supporters at court were executed, while he was confined.