Abkhazia

The Ilayet of Abkhazia is a maritime province of the Ottoman Empire, nestled below the imposing peaks of the Caucasian Mountains, holding a pivotal role in the politics and commerce of the 17th century. Its boundaries are well-defined, bordered by the Black Sea to the west, Kubanistan to the north, Circassia and Imeritia to the east, and Mingrelia to the southeast. Covering an area of 3,346 square miles, Abkhazia is a land of geographical diversity and historical significance, shaped by its strategic location and the complex interplay of cultures.

Abkhazia is an essential link in the Ottoman Empire’s vast network of provinces, acting as a buffer between Ottoman interests and the often rebellious territories of the northern Caucasus. The Black Sea remains a vital artery of commerce, with Abkhazian ports hosting traders from Constantinople, Crimea, Venice, and Muscovy. The region’s wealth is drawn not only from maritime trade but also from the exploitation of its natural resources, including timber, furs, honey, and valuable minerals mined in the foothills of the Caucasus. The Ilayet covers an area of 9.9 hexes and has a population of 197,310.

The region is also a key source of military manpower for the Ottoman administration, with Abkhazian warriors and Circassian allies frequently serving as elite cavalry or personal guards to Ottoman governors and officials. The indigenous nobility, while nominally loyal to the Ottoman Sultan, maintains a significant degree of autonomy, ruling over feudal domains through a system of alliances, kinship ties, and vassalage. The ongoing struggles between the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire of Persia, and the expanding influence of the Tsardom of Russia cast a long shadow over Abkhazia’s future. The region's strategic importance ensures it remains a contested frontier, where diplomacy, military maneuvering, and shifting alliances define its place in the broader imperial struggle for control over the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

People

Abkhazia's population was a mosaic of different peoples and cultures. The indigenous Abkhazians had deep roots in the region, their traditions and customs reflecting the land's ancient heritage. Georgians, Armenians and Greeks brought their own unique contributions to this diverse tapestry, enriching the province's cultural fabric.

The Beylerbey, or governor, has his residence in Sebastopolis, a Black Sea port city. Population of the Ilayet (c.1650), 197,310.

Geography

The coastal region along the Black Sea is characterised by fertile plains and ports that facilitate commerce. Moving inland to the north, the terrain becomes progressively more rugged and mountainous as it approaches the divide of the Caucasus. These northern highlands are marked by steep slopes and valleys, a challenging landscape that influences the local way of life and trade patterns.

In the eastern part of Abkhazia, the landscape transforms into a series of picturesque mountains, deep valleys and fertile plateaus. A blend of landscapes, from rolling hills to dense forests, reflect the varied topography.

History

Founded by Milesian Greeks who arrived in the region known as Colchis between the 6th and 5th centuries BC, Dioscurias was the primary center, named after the mythical twins Castor and Pollux. It remained continuously occupied for over 2,200 years and eventually came to be known as Sebastopolis. By the 1st century AD, its inhabitants gained notoriety for piracy and the slave trade. In the 1st century BC, it was conquered by Mithridates VI, then captured by Pompey and incorporated into the Roman Empire.

From the 3rd to the 7th centuries AD, Dioscurias and much of the surrounding region became part of a separate kingdom known as Lazica. During this period, a significant portion of the kingdom fell under Muslim rule. Abkhazia, however, successfully resisted the Arab occupation, eventually forming the independent Kingdom of Abkhazia after 780 AD.

In the early 11th century, Abkhazia was integrated into the Kingdom of Georgia, remaining a part of it despite challenges such as the Mongol Invasions, the Black Death, and pressure from Trebizond and the Ottoman Empire. Abkhazia briefly regained autonomy until the Turks overran the region in the 1570s.

Trade

Sebastopolis is the Iliyet's only market, with far less importance than Phasis or Vati to the south. The market handles significant amounts of soft coal_5R from the area around Tkvarcheli in the east. Foodstuffs include snuff, dried fruit and meat. The Caucasus slopes are covered with forests containing fir, beech, boxwood_2R and chestnut. Considerable herding of livestock_4R goes on; rabbits are raised in large numbers.

The littoral along the sea is highly suitable for cereals_2R, barley, maize, wheat, castor beans, soybeans and sunflower seeds. The region is an important producer of tobacco_2R.