In 1246 Manuel I Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond, possibly travelled to the Mongol capital at Karakorum, an incredible journey across much of Asia to submit to Khan Guyuk. What could have led to such a unique scenario? The Seljuks and Trebizond were forced to submit after the Mongol victory at the battle of Kose Dag (1243). Trebizond had already been in tough times and forced to fight with the Seljuks as their vassals. The Empire of Nicaea also had to deal with this geopolitical transformation, it was a major shakeup in Anatolia.
The map below shows just how far Manuel of Trebizond may have travelled! Being a Mongol vassal would have ensured his safety through these unknown lands. Whether he actually made this journey isn’t definitive, but certainly rulers were at times required to do so to appease Mongol demands. The idea is not outlandish at all.
Why would the Mongols want Manuel to come to them? According to Rustam Shukurov: “In general, the personal visit of a vassal ruler to the Khan’s camp was highly desirable, because the Mongols regarded it politically as an indispensable ceremony of bringing such persons into the family of the Great Khan.” It’s plausible Manuel was forced to attend for such reasons.
Source:
Trebizond and the Seljuks (1204-1299) by Rustam Shukurov
shadowsofconstantinople.com 